Carnide Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

The Carnide Fountain is located in the heart of the parish of Carnide, in Lisbon, in an urban space known as Largo do Malvar. This square, with its basalt cobblestone pavement and Portuguese cobblestone sidewalks, offers a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.

Situated in an area with a gentle slope and at the intersection of roads, the fountain benefits from a striking presence in the local landscape, surrounded by traditional houses and some vegetation, giving it a picturesque and historic feel.

Origin and Significance

This fountain was built in 1857, on the initiative of the former Municipality of Belém, a detail that reflects the administrative organization of Lisbon at the time. Its creation served an essential practical purpose: it was a water supply point for the community of Carnide, playing a fundamental role in the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Today, the Carnide Fountain transcends its original function, remaining a visible historical and cultural landmark. It represents a connection to the past, allowing visitors a glimpse into the needs and urban planning solutions of bygone eras in the city.

Architectural Aspects

The Carnide Fountain is an example of neo-Baroque inspired architecture. Built from robust Lioz limestone masonry, a stone typical of the Lisbon region, it features a centralized design that captures the attention of passers-by.

Its structure consists of a quadrangular basin, shallow inside with projecting edges. In the center, a plinth rises, supporting a Tuscan pillar, culminating in an elegant pyramidal pinnacle. On the east and west faces of the plinth, metal spouts can be observed, one of which still displays the iron rulers that were used to support containers, testifying to its daily use. An inscription on the east face of the pinnacle marks the monument's construction date.

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