Carmo Square Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Sacramento

Location

Situated in the heart of Largo do Carmo, in the Sacramento area of Lisbon, this fountain stands in one of the capital's most unique urban spaces. The square, with its charming Portuguese pavement forming delicate designs, invites a moment of pause. With its wooden benches and trees providing a welcoming atmosphere, the fountain occupies a central and visible position, framed by the surrounding buildings, a testament to the passage of time in this historic area.

Architecture and Singular Details

The fountain stands out for its late-Baroque architectural style, being entirely constructed from Lioz limestone, a material common in 18th-century Lisbon. Its structure rests on a circular platform with two steps, from which rises an octagonal prismatic column that served as a water reservoir. Four circular spouts, still visible today, pour water into two elegantly curved tanks. Above the reservoir, a complex pyramidal sculptural scheme takes shape with representations of dolphins with raised tails, culminating in a small dome. A false dome covering, supported by four perfect arches resting on pillars, crowns the ensemble, featuring royal escutcheons and the Portuguese crown at its keystones, elements that attest to its royal significance.

A Vital Element in 18th-Century Lisbon

This fountain was a crucial element in Lisbon's water supply system, directly linked to the famous Aqueduct of Free Waters (Aqueduto das Águas Livres). Its construction began in 1769, in the context of the square's works resulting from Pombaline urbanisation, and was completed in the 18th century. The work was likely conceived according to a project by the then Marshal of Field, D. Miguel Ângelo de Blasco. It served the growing needs of the population for potable water, being an important source of supply for the surrounding area and for the city in general.

Heritage and Urban Memory

Throughout its existence, the Chafariz do Largo do Carmo was the stage for significant moments in Lisbon's urban life. Given its centrality and the volume of water it supplied, it was frequently a meeting point and, at times, a place of disputes related to water access. There was a period, in 1875, when the Lisbon City Council even considered its demolition due to the constant conflicts generated by the high influx of people, but this intention thankfully did not materialize, allowing the structure to endure to this day. Currently, this fountain holds the status of Property of Public Interest, integrating into the classified heritage of Pombaline Lisbon, a recognition of its historical, architectural, and cultural value.

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