Fountain of Flowers Square

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > São Mamede

Location

The Praça das Flores Fountain is located in one of Lisbon's most pleasant squares, in the parish of São Mamede. This square, paved with traditional Portuguese pavement and adorned with large trees and wooden benches, creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. It is situated at the confluence of Largo Agostinho da Silva, Rua do Monte Olivete, and Praça das Flores itself, in a predominantly residential area that maintains a charming and welcoming urban feel.

Historical Background

This fountain has its roots in the 19th century, integrated into the monumental water supply network of the Águas Livres Aqueduct. Its construction was ordered in 1805, initially near the vanished Arch of São Bento. However, in 1838, with the demolition of the arch and an old washhouse tank that existed there, the fountain was dismantled and reinstalled in its current position. Since its origin, it served as a water distribution point for the population, now assuming a more symbolic and cultural purpose.

Architectural Details

In late Baroque style, the Praça das Flores Fountain presents a singular structure, built in lioz limestone masonry. Its rectangular facade is marked by three concave lobes, flanked by four Tuscan pillars, some of which still bear their original urns. A barrel vault roof gives it a distinct form.

At the center, a sculpted back panel stands out, framed and topped by the royal coat of arms and a cornice with curved contours, featuring a subtle Borrominian inspiration. The spouts, which once poured water in abundance into tanks of various shapes, one rectangular in the center and two polygonal on the sides, all with raised edges and iron lining, reflect its original function. On the side faces, discreet straight-lintel doors provide access to the interior of the water chamber, revealing the complexity of its hydraulic design.

Classified Heritage

The Praça das Flores Fountain is a testament to the importance of water management in Lisbon throughout the centuries. Its heritage value is officially recognized, being classified as a National Monument. This classification encompasses the entire vast system of the Águas Livres Aqueduct, to which the fountain belongs, underlining its historical and architectural relevance in the city's panorama. Today, it remains a cultural and recreational landmark, inviting a moment of contemplation in the square.

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