Neptune's Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Queluz > Queluz e Belas

Location

The Neptune Fountain is located in the parish of Queluz and Belas, in the city of Queluz, municipality of Sintra. It is situated in the extensive gardens surrounding the majestic Queluz National Palace, blending into a verdant setting that invites contemplation. Its presence complements the refined and historical ambiance of the place, offering a distinct point of interest during a stroll through the Palace's outdoor spaces.

As you wander the paths of these gardens, you will find the fountain in an area that showcases the harmony between manicured nature and sculptural art, an invitation to discover the details that enrich this heritage.

The Work and Its Artistic Value

This fountain is a notable example of 17th-century Baroque sculpture, distinguished by its composition and expressiveness. The sculptural ensemble, carved in stone, depicts Neptune, the Roman god of the seas, surrounded by tritons. Its beauty lies in the dynamism of its forms and the richness of its details, characteristics intrinsic to the Baroque style, which sought to evoke emotion and movement.

The piece was originally commissioned in Rome in 1677 by D. Luís de Meneses, Count of Ericeira and Ambassador of Portugal to Italy. It was intended to adorn his Palace da Anunciada in Lisbon, underscoring the work's importance and prestige from its conception.

The Sculptor and His Journey

The authorship of the Neptune Fountain is attributed to Ercole Ferrata, a renowned Italian sculptor of Roman Baroque. Ferrata was a disciple and collaborator of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the most prominent figures in Baroque art, which attests to the fountain's high artistic quality and its direct connection to one of the most influential schools of sculpture of the time.

Over the centuries, the fountain has journeyed through different locations in Portugal. After its initial installation in Lisbon, it was later transferred to Quinta do Senhor da Serra in Belas. It was in 1945 that it found its permanent home in the gardens of the Queluz Palace, where it remains to this day, a testament to its unique history and its valuable contribution to the region's cultural heritage.