Fountain of Largo do Mastro

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Pena

Location

The Chafariz do Largo do Mastro is located in the Pena district, in the very heart of Lisbon. The square itself has a wide urban configuration and is situated in an area with an inclined slope, a common characteristic of the city. The space is designed as a small garden, featuring four lawned flowerbeds at its corners, with large trees and shrubs, which gives the location a pleasant atmosphere and an invitation to rest.

Paved paths allow for circulation within the square, which is surrounded by public roads and buildings typical of Lisbon's urban fabric. There are garden benches, made of wood and metal, and lampposts that complement the space, making it a tranquil spot for those exploring the city.

Design and Materials

This fountain, in a Baroque and Revivalist Neo-Baroque style, stands out for its centralized composition and the use of Lioz limestone masonry. Its base is a circular basin with a lobed profile and a rounded rim, resting on a platform that gently adapts to the terrain's unevenness.

At the center, a richly detailed, lobed column rises, its faces featuring split stonework. Four elegant dolphins, entwined with ribbons and tassels, adorn this column, serving as spouts from which water flows. Above these elements, a pyramidal obelisk appears, octagonal and fluted, crowned by a distinctive pineapple, lending the ensemble a notable sculptural presence.

Brief History

The Chafariz do Largo do Mastro was inaugurated on April 4, 1848, the result of a project by the City Hall architect, Malaquias Ferreira Leal. The dolphin figures, which are one of its most recognizable elements, were created by the sculptor Alexandre Gomes. The fountain's history is peculiar, as its elements were originally designed for another fountain, never fully constructed, which led to their use in this project.

During the 20th century, the fountain underwent a period of relocation. In 1940, it was dismantled to make way for the pavilions of the Exhibition of the Portuguese World, remaining in storage for some years. In 1947, it was re-erected, finding its current position in Largo do Mastro, where it now serves as an ornamental fountain and a cultural element in the Lisbon panorama.

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