Wellhead of São Vicente Well and Couto Mineiro Installation

Category: Civil Architecture > Mine

District: Porto > Gondomar > Passal > São Pedro da Cova

Location

The Headframe of the São Vicente Well is located in São Pedro da Cova, belonging to the Union of Parishes of Fânzeres and São Pedro da Cova, in the municipality of Gondomar, Porto District.

Historical Heritage

The Headframe is a representative structure of the old São Pedro da Cova coal mine, which played a fundamental role in the region's economy for about 170 years.

Industrial Importance

This structure testifies to the period of great relevance of coal (anthracite) exploration, which transformed São Pedro da Cova into an important industrial center, generating migration to the region from the 18th century onwards.

Headframe of the São Vicente Well

Built in reinforced concrete, the Headframe is 38.5 meters high and began operating in 1935. It was designed by the Belgian engineer Charles Tournay and built by the company of Fernando Moreira de Sá. Its main function was to allow the transport of coal from the depths of the mine to the surface.

Classification as a Monument of Public Interest

In 2010, the Headframe was classified as a Monument of Public Interest, due to its historical, social and technical relevance. This classification protects the site and recognizes the importance of the memory associated with mining activity.

State of Conservation

Over the years, the Headframe has suffered from the oxidation of its materials, leading the local community to mobilize for its preservation. This movement resulted in the official classification of the monument.

Symbolism

The Headframe is an icon of the industrial and labor history of São Pedro da Cova, being an imposing visual reference in the landscape. It evokes the harshness of work in the mines and the effort of the miners who marked local history.

Academic Connection

The mining department of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto was involved with the structure, carrying out studies on site and adopting the image of the Headframe as its logo, reinforcing the connection of national engineering to this work.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalete_do_Poço_de_São_Vicente

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