Armes Source

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Lameiras

Location

The Armês Fountain is located in the locality of Lameiras, in the municipality of Sintra, set within an urban environment. This unique fountain presents a remarkable peculiarity: it is situated about three meters below the current ground level, adjacent to the base of a quadrangular well. To access this historical point, visitors must descend a narrow staircase. Its lowered position gives it an almost secluded character, offering a glimpse of a distant past within the local landscape.

History and Antiquity

Also known as the Fountain of the Moors, the Armês Fountain is a testament to the deep antiquity of human presence and the importance of water in this region. Its popular designation harks back to a long-gone past, often associated with narratives from the Muslim era or even earlier times, reflecting the continuity of the use of this site over the centuries. The persistence of this structure, which has served the community for almost two millennia, underscores its role as a vital supply point for the populations that settled here throughout history.

Structure and Characteristics

The Armês Fountain reveals itself as an imposing rectangular structure, approximately 213 centimeters in length and 231 centimeters in height. It is constructed from several carefully arranged monoliths of marble, attesting to the robustness and quality of its design. It is characterized as a "diving" type of fountain, where water, once originating from a nearby spring, was channeled through an underground conduit to a reservoir, from which it supplied the fountain tank. Its side walls exhibit marks of polishing and wear, clear signs of continuous use over the centuries, indicating that they would have served as resting places for those who came seeking water. This primary function of supply remained unchanged, demonstrating the resilience and lasting relevance of this monument.

Heritage Value

With its classification as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest), the Armês Fountain assumes a prominent role in Portugal's vast cultural heritage. Its existence is a vivid testament to historical continuity and the vital importance of water for the communities that inhabited the region over the centuries. More than just a simple supply structure, it is a landmark that invites visitors to reflect on the persistence of such an ancient work. It provides a connection to the deep past of the Sintra region, allowing appreciation of the engineering and social relevance this site represented for the lives that depended on it in remote times.

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