Water Mine

Category: Nature > Park

District: Lisboa > Amadora > Mina de Água > Urbanização Vila Chã

Location:

The Water Mine is situated within the Jardim da Mina, a public garden space in the Vila Chã urbanization, in the parish of Mina de Água, in the municipality of Amadora. This location is conveniently positioned between Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra and Avenida General Humberto Delgado, making it easily accessible within the urban context of the city. It offers a tranquil and inviting environment, ideal for a moment of pause and for discovering a significant part of local history.

The Origin of the Name:

The name "Mina de Agua" is not random, but rather a direct reference to the water spring that existed there and was of great importance to the region. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a rare and vital source of water, flowing at a considerable depth and maintaining a constant flow, even during the driest months when most wells in Amadora dried up. This peculiarity led the local population to depend on it, making the "mine" an essential reference point and, subsequently, the name of the locality itself.

A Portal to the Past:

The "Mina de Agua" is a vestige of the past and a testament to the importance of water management over the centuries. It was part of a complex of mines associated with the historic Aqueduto Geral das Águas Livres, used for water utilization. Access to the interior of this spring was via a gallery approximately two hundred meters long, a remarkable feat of engineering for its time. The quality of its water was also quite renowned, which further increased its relevance to the community.

The Legacy and Recognition:

In the early 20th century, the entrepreneur António Cardoso Lopes acquired the surrounding land and the concession for its water, initiating the urbanization project of the Bairro-Parque da Mina. The mine itself underwent improvement works starting in 1911. In 1913, the inauguration of the Bairro-Parque da Mina, an event of great significance, was attended by the then President of the Republic, Manuel de Arriaga. To commemorate the occasion, a marble plaque was placed above the mine's entrance. Although the original has been replaced, a replica can be seen at the site. The "Mina de Agua" is currently classified as a municipal heritage site, a recognition of its historical and cultural value to Amadora.

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