Bandstand of Alter do Chão

Category: Civil Architecture > Bandstand

District: Portalegre > Alter do Chão > Alter do Chão

Location

The Alter do Chão Bandstand is located in the heart of the village, in the spacious and landscaped Largo Barreto Caldeira. This public space, surrounded by streets, is a central point in the urban fabric. The bandstand is positioned in the middle of a vast pedestrian avenue, elegantly paved with Portuguese pavement, flanked by two rows of medium-sized trees and garden benches that invite relaxation.

Origin and Reconfiguration

This emblematic bandstand originated in the early 20th century, around 1902, at the initiative of Mr. Barreto Caldeira. Its history is marked by a significant reconfiguration in the middle of the century. Originally located next to the promenade of the square that today bears its patron's name, the bandstand was dismantled and rebuilt in its current position between 1944 and 1945. This change was part of a broader alteration of the Square, which gave it the layout we observe today.

Architectural Elements

With a hexagonal base, the bandstand features a robust structure full of details. Its base is covered with ceramic tiles displaying stylized plant motifs, while the vertices and the plinth are highlighted by exposed granite stonework. To access its interior, there is an attached staircase with a wrought iron railing. The roof, also hexagonal and faceted, is supported by six cast-iron columns, with plain shafts and capitals featuring stylized foliage. At the top, a decorative dove crowns the structure, and along the dome extends an iron valance, with serpentine shapes and a frieze adorned with acanthus and openwork trifoils.

Meeting Point and Symbolism

Since its construction, the Alter do Chão Bandstand has played a significant role in the cultural and recreational life of the village, maintaining its function to this day. It is a place that, over the decades, has served as a stage for events and a meeting point for the community. More than its practical utility, the bandstand holds an affective symbolism for the inhabitants and visitors of Alter do Chão, functioning as a testament to collective memory and a tranquil gathering space in the center of the locality.

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