Fountains of Gaula

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Madeira > Santa Cruz > Gaula > Contenda

Living Tradition of Fountains in Gaula

The population of Gaula maintains the tradition of decorating the fountains during the Popular Saints festivals, especially Saint John.

History of Gaula's Fountains

Gaula is the only parish in Madeira with dozens of classified fountains, remnants from times when there were no potable water networks.

These fountains were crucial for supplying local residences.

Water as Cultural Heritage

Gaula has a deep connection to water, with a rich cultural heritage related to this natural resource.

The municipality is committed to the conservation and restoration of the fountains, preserving the community's identity.

Water-Related Activities

The Parish Council organizes activities to decorate fountains during the Popular Saints festivals.

One of the recovered fountains, the Achada de Cima fountain, highlights Our Lady of Grace in a hand-painted tile.

The Water Route in Gaula

Since 2014, there has been the Water Route, a tourist trail that takes visitors to fountains, mills, and laundries.

This route highlights the importance of water in the region's history and the municipality's preservation efforts.

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