Armada Square Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Prazeres

Location

Situated in Praça da Armada, in the Prazeres area of Lisbon, this fountain stands in a wide space, on a slightly inclined plane, surrounded by buildings dating back to the 19th century. The Portuguese pavement, with its geometric patterns, and the trees lining the square contribute to a welcoming urban environment.

Praça da Armada, throughout history, has had different designations, including Largo de Alcântara, Praça de Armas e da Marinha, and even, informally, Largo dos Marinheiros. Currently, it remains a central point in the parish's life, with the fountain serving as a distinctive element in the heart of this space.

A Classical and Detailed Work

Built between 1845 and 1846, this fountain exhibits classical-inspired architecture, marking the urban landscape with its presence. It is classified as a National Monument, recognizing its historical and artistic value to the city's heritage.

Built from Lioz limestone masonry, with white and pink tones, the structure rests on a circular base with access steps, featuring two lower trapezoidal tanks with curved sides. These tanks, originally designed for cattle, reveal their practical function at the time. One of the lower tanks still contains goldfish today, a touch that adds life to the ensemble.

Artistic and Symbolic Elements

On the upper level, a vertical parallelepiped structure is enhanced by pilasters with smooth shafts and Doric capitals, denoting attention to detail and sobriety of form. The fountain's spouts, made of bronze, are sculpted in the shape of hybrid mascarons, surrounded by shells and volutes. These unique figures, originally created in 1797 by the sculptor Alexandre Gomes, were intended for another fountain that was never built, giving this monument a particular history of artistic reuse.

On the front face, the fountain displays the coat of arms of the city of Lisbon, a symbol of its belonging and local history, and an inscription dated "No. 10. MUNICIPAL COUNCIL 1845," the year its installation in Praça da Armada was planned. At the top of the structure, rising on an octagonal pedestal adorned with a frieze of classical acanthus leaves, stands the imposing statue of Neptune. This figure of the sea god, with his bronze trident, was repurposed from another Lisbon fountain, the Chafariz do Campo Grande, after its demolition in 1850, making it an element with a second life in this location.

The Legacy of Water

Beyond its aesthetic value, the Chafariz da Praça da Armada played a vital role in Lisbon's water supply network. It was designed as an integral part of the Aqueduto das Águas Livres system, ensuring the supply of potable water to the population of the Alcântara area.

Over time, it served not only the inhabitants but also, as mentioned, the animals that passed through the area, functioning as a point of reference and public utility. Today, although its primary function has shifted to an ornamental and cultural purpose, it continues to be an eloquent testimony to hydraulic engineering and the daily life of Lisbon in past centuries.

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