Alto do Pina Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Alto do Pina

Location

The Alto do Pina Fountain is located in the urban area of Alto do Pina, in Lisbon. It is positioned at the intersection of Rua Sabino de Sousa and Rua Quatro de Agosto, functioning as a landmark resembling a small roundabout. Its integration into the urban fabric, surrounded by three-story residential buildings, gives it a natural fit into the daily life of the parish.

Element of the Urban Landscape

Built during the 20th century, this fountain, although of unknown authorship, is an example of the infrastructural architecture of the time. Its presence in the public space was initially conceived for hydraulic purposes, but over time, it transformed into a historical and cultural landmark. It is a spot that invites a pause, allowing one to appreciate an element of heritage that punctuates urban life.

Architectural Details

The fountain's structure consists of a circular basin, made of lioz limestone ashlar, a characteristic stone of the Lisbon region. In the center, an iron column, painted in a shade of green, stands out, rising in different levels. This column is decorated with friezes evoking foliage (phytomorphic elements), stylized palmettes, and fluted surfaces. At its top, a curved plinth supports a stylized artichoke, a unique finial. The spout, a long metal pipe, emerges from one of the column's levels, where water once flowed into the basin. The entire structure rests on a circular concrete platform, elevated by a few steps and paved with traditional Portuguese pavement, which highlights its design on the surrounding asphalt.

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