St. Peter of Alcântara Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santa Catarina

Location

This fountain is located in the Santa Catarina area, in Lisbon, integrated into the São Pedro de Alcântara Garden. It is situated at an elevated point of the city, offering a wide perspective over the Baixa Pombalina and the eastern hills. Rua de São Pedro de Alcântara delimits the upper part of this space, contributing to the urban environment that surrounds it.

Origins and Historical Design

The history of this fountain dates back to the 18th century, when it was initially conceived as a monumental work, linked to the Águas Livres Aqueduct system. The original project, authored by the engineer Carlos Mardel in 1752, envisioned an imposing structure with a complex hexagonal design and multiple levels of tanks, intended to be one of Lisbon's largest fountains and to mark the culmination of the city's major water supply works. However, the initial plans were severely affected by the 1755 earthquake, and the fountain as imagined was never fully built.

The Current Fountain and Its Design

What is observed today at the site is a fountain that was installed later, in 1840, by the stonemasons from the Moreira Rato workshops, based on a design by the sculptor Faustino José Rodrigues. It features a marble basin with an intricate shape, originally from the Bemposta Royal Palace. This fountain includes a jet and is set against a retaining wall on the garden's lower terrace, where there is also a semicircular basin that receives water from a small waterfall, creating a gentle sound and visual element.

Scenic and Contemplative Point

Despite its history of an uncompleted initial project, the São Pedro de Alcântara Fountain has become a harmonious element within its garden setting. Its presence and the gentle murmur of the water contribute to a tranquil atmosphere, inviting a pause. Positioned on a belvedere that opens up to the city panorama, the fountain complements the visual experience, serving as a point of reference and contemplation in one of Lisbon's most picturesque locations.

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