Fountain of Rua de O Século

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Bairro Alto

Location

The Chafariz da Rua de O Século is located approximately halfway up the street of the same name, in the heart of the vibrant Bairro Alto district in Lisbon. It is situated in a wide square that was specifically designed to frame it, giving it prominence in the urban landscape. The square is bordered by a stonework wall, which curves gently alongside the fountain and includes stone benches, inviting a pause. The pavement, partly paved and partly in traditional Portuguese cobblestone, features a distinctive eight-pointed star pattern, surrounded by large trees and cypresses, which contribute to the tranquility of the place.

Origins and Legacy

This remarkable fountain was erected in the 18th century, specifically in 1762, as an essential part of the 18th-century plan to supply water to the city of Lisbon. Its construction was the responsibility of engineer Carlos Mardel, a prominent figure in the architecture of the time, known for other important hydraulic works in the capital. The water that once flowed from this fountain came from the vast system of the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, through a diversion from the Galeria do Loreto, underscoring its historical relevance to the city's infrastructure. Although it initially had a purely utilitarian function, providing water to the population, the fountain is today recognized as an important historical and cultural landmark.

Artistic Details and Architecture

The Chafariz da Rua de O Século is an example of Baroque architecture, built from robust Lioz limestone. It features a rectangular base on a platform of five polygonal steps. Its espaldar, or back panel, is adorned with pilasters, a cushioned panel, and an elaborate tablet with palmettes and a rose window. Its composition culminates in a triangular frontão, decorated with pinnacles emerging from floral elements. However, what most captures the eye are its three bronze spouts, sculpted in the form of expressive mascarons, with long beards and decorative scrolls. These are considered the only remaining bronze spouts in this material on fountains in the city, which gives them a unique artistic and historical value. The water pours into a deep trapezoidal tank, whose curved sides and iron lining inside reveal its original functionality for supporting vessels.

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