Pisões Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra > Quinta do Castanheiro

Location

Located in the Quinta do Castanheiro area, in Sintra, the Fonte dos Pisões is found in a calm and verdant environment, integrated into the distinctive landscape of the Sintra Mountains. The location can be easily incorporated into a stroll through the area, offering a serene break surrounded by abundant vegetation, characteristic of the region's natural richness.

Its slightly elevated position, close to a road that crosses the mountain range towards Colares, makes it an accessible point of interest, inviting a moment of tranquility in contact with the nature that defines this municipality. The fountain is protected as part of the Old Village and Sintra Mountains, and also of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

History and Significance

The Fonte dos Pisões, in its current form, was erected in 1931, replacing a previous tank with a history dating back, at least, to the 16th century. Historical documents indicate that this site had already undergone improvements in 1651, on the occasion of a visit by Queen Luísa de Gusmão to Sintra, highlighting its long importance.

Over the centuries, this fountain played a fundamental role for the local community, serving as a vital source of drinking water for inhabitants and as a watering trough for animals. The water, known for its freshness and purity, was also used to irrigate the orchards in the area. The inscription SALVE, present on the central panel, is an ancient tribute to Sintra's water and its salubrity.

Aesthetics and Artistic Details

The current fountain was designed by Master José da Fonseca, featuring a semicircular structure of great aesthetic beauty. Its backrest, flanked by continuous benches, is richly decorated with geometric and colorful motifs, sculpted into the mortar itself. In the center, a large circle framed by a rectilinear highlight stands out, containing polychrome tile panels from Fábrica Cerâmica Constância, Lisbon.

In this central circle, a Renaissance-inspired bas-relief unfolds, where small putti (cherubs) are observed among foliage, some drinking water, others carrying small jugs. The ensemble is a visual celebration of water, with the liquid gushing abundantly from the spout into a rectangular fluted basin, which in turn feeds a lower tank, originally intended for animals. The combination of masonry, stonework, stucco, and tiles creates a piece of public architecture that enriches Sintra's heritage and environment.

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