Chestnut Source

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Pinhal Verde

Location

A Fonte dos Castanheiros is located in the locality of Pinhal Verde, in the municipality of Odivelas. This place, historically linked to the parish of Caneças, is set within a quinta environment that evokes a picturesque and tranquil atmosphere. Its position offers a serene refuge, where nature and the structure of the fountain complement each other, contributing to the area's distinctive character.

A Past of Water and Recognition

Dating back to 1931, the Fonte dos Castanheiros represents an important landmark in local history, having been the first fountain in the region to be explored and commercialized by a group of private individuals. In 1932, it received an official license for the exploitation and sale of its water as table water. It quickly gained fame for the lightness and characteristic taste of its waters, becoming one of the best known in regional distribution. Its notoriety also extended to the surrounding facilities, attracting visitors seeking the benefits of its pure air and the qualities of its water.

Neo-Romantic Aesthetics

Architecturally, the Fonte dos Castanheiros is distinguished by its style, which harks back to a bucolic and neo-romantic revivalism. Its central body, which projects slightly, is composed of three perfect round arches, giving it a notable solidity and simplicity. At the top, an ornamental pediment frames three medallions featuring "embrechados," a decorative technique that uses mollusk shells, river pebbles, and ceramic fragments. The interior of the fountain is adorned with a tile panel displaying organic motifs and geometric shapes, using the same materials as the external "embrechados." The access corridor, built of limestone from Altos de Caneças, enhances the harmony of the ensemble.

Environment and Comfort

The fountain is integrated into a picturesque quinta, designed to offer an environment for leisure and conviviality. Its natural setting is complemented by a tree park, which once provided visitors with a pleasant space to enjoy. This inviting scenery allows for a relaxing experience, where the beauty of the fountain's architecture blends with the serenity of the surrounding greenery, a true invitation to contemplation and rest in a historic space.

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