Fonte do MartinhoMartin's Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Castelo de Vide > Quinta do Brejo

Location

The Martinho Fountain is located in the area known as Quinta do Brejo, slightly outside the centre of Castelo de Vide village. Situated next to National Road 246-1, it appears in a more open setting, separated from the roadway by a cobbled pavement, giving it a noticeable presence for passers-by.

Historical Origin

This fountain has roots lost in time, with records indicating the existence of a primitive fountain on the site since the late 17th century. The structure visible today, with its characteristic form, was likely built during the 18th century, serving as a water supply point for the population.

Architectural Features

The Martinho Fountain is an interesting example of infrastructural architecture, featuring a large back wall built of dressed granite masonry. The ensemble is notably sober and straight-lined, but its visual rhythm is broken by the presence of nine pilasters that divide the back wall into eight sections. These pilasters have simple capitals and bases and are organized into two levels, marked by friezes and horizontal cornices.

Decorative Elements

Despite the general austerity of the granite, the fountain stands out due to specific decorative elements. The most notable are the four spouts, centrally positioned on the back wall. They are made of white marble, a material that contrasts with the dark granite of the rest of the structure, and feature an unusual shape: inverted dolphins, through which water flows into the tank.

The Tank

At the base of the back wall is the fountain's tank. It has a rectangular plan for most of its length, but the central area, corresponding to the dolphin spouts, is cut out by two semicircular designs, resembling "half-orange" shapes. This detail adds a touch of softness to the overall robust, rectangular shape of the tank.

Function Over Time

Since its construction in the 18th century, and even before with the primitive fountain, the site served as a public fountain, fundamental for the daily life of the community. Maintaining its original function, the Martinho Fountain continues to be a point where water is present, testifying to the importance that fountains had in supplying populations throughout the centuries.

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