Santa Monica Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Centro Histórico

Location

The Santa Mónica Fountain is located in the heart of the Historic Centre of Elvas, a city renowned for its vast heritage. It is fully integrated into the urban fabric, within the historic walls that define the locality, offering a glimpse into the architecture and daily life that have shaped this space over the centuries.

An 18th-Century Legacy

Also known as the São Francisco Fountain, this construction has its roots in the 18th century. Its existence dates back to a time when water management and distribution were of vital importance to community life. The fountain is, therefore, an element that reflects the relevance of hydraulic infrastructures in the historic urban development of Elvas.

Architecture and Purpose

The Santa Mónica Fountain is an example of an espaldar-type fountain, a configuration where the fountain is integrated into a back wall, often associated with a larger structure. Originally, its main function was to serve as a water supply point for the city's inhabitants. Today, the fountain maintains its value as a distinctive piece in Elvas's heritage, functioning as a historical-cultural landmark that enriches the urban environment and provides a visual point of interest for those who walk its streets.

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