Source of the Caco

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Pena

Location

Fonte do Caco is located in the Pena area, an integrated part of Porto's urban fabric. Its position reflects the city's peculiar geography, where natural elements like streams and springs have shaped the landscape and its paths. Situated in an environment that evokes the historical relationship between the urban fabric and greener areas, the fountain invites a different perspective of Porto, away from the central hustle and bustle.

Water and the Identity of Porto

Porto is often known as the "city of waters," a designation evident from the presence of places like Fonte do Caco. In the Romantic period, riverbanks and stream edges were prominent features in Porto's landscape, and fountains played a fundamental role. Fonte do Caco is an example of these supply and meeting points, which emerged along the paths, testifying to the importance of water in daily life and in the imagination of the time.

An Echo of Historical Paths

Fonte do Caco serves as a link to the so-called "bucolic paths," once traversed by both the bourgeoisie and the common people. These routes connected the city center to the country estates and outer districts, providing moments for work and leisure, always accompanied by flowing waters and associated infrastructures, such as this fountain. Its presence allows one to feel the history and landscape of a Porto that developed amidst its estates and water springs, offering an authentic glimpse into a bygone era.

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