Porcalhota Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Amadora > Amadora > Porcalhota

Location

The Porcalhota Fountain is currently located in the Praceta da Quinta da Conceição, part of Estrada da Falagueira, in Amadora. This historical element is set in an urban environment, in the center of a garden square paved with Portuguese cobblestones, surrounded by residential buildings. Its presence lends a touch of history and tranquility to this residential area of the locality of Porcalhota, in the municipality of Amadora.

The Roots of an Ancient Need

The history of the Porcalhota Fountain dates back to the mid-18th century, when the inhabitants of the Porcalhota and Falagueira areas were already expressing a strong desire for a water supply to serve their daily needs. The construction of the Aqueduto das Águas Livres in the Falagueira area revealed a small spring, which was initially utilized with the construction of a simple spout and a tank next to the aqueduct's wall. However, the population of the neighboring Porcalhota aspired to a more central and accessible water point, making a formal request for the water to be channeled to the old Royal Road of Lisbon-Sintra, which would only be authorized in 1849, after decades of persistence.

Architectural Design and Significance

Inaugurated in 1850, the original fountain was erected at a strategic point: the intersection of Estrada da Falagueira with the Royal Road of Lisbon-Sintra, today known as Rua Elias Garcia. This neoclassical fountain consists of a quadrangular tank with curved angles and a central pillar of limestone masonry, adorned with simulated pilasters. On the main face of the pillar, the inscription "CM 1850" and the engraving of a ship stand out, elements that highlight its origin and the importance of water. On the sides, two copper spouts are prominent, complemented by metal racks that once served as supports for containers, demonstrating its public functionality for supplying the population and, originally, also for livestock.

A Memorable Inauguration and its Urban Adaptation

The inauguration of the Porcalhota Fountain, on October 29, 1850, was a remarkable and festive event for the community. The ceremony was attended by various official figures and, above all, by the joy expressed by the local inhabitants, who finally saw their longing for water satisfied. The moment the first water began to flow, at twelve twenty-five, was celebrated with fireworks, in a true popular festivity. Decades later, in the 1960s, the evolution of the urban fabric and the need to expand the road network led to its careful transfer to its current location, thus preserving this symbol of local history and heritage.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt