Old Well Source

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Santarém > Tomar > Tomar > Coito

Location

Situated in the locality of Tomar, more specifically in the Coito area, the Fonte do Poço Velho (Old Well Spring) is set within a context that invites serenity. Far from the hustle and bustle of the urban center, this spring rests in surroundings that allow for a more tranquil perspective of the region, a place where the presence of water integrates harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Its position offers a glimpse into the more secluded and traditional life that shaped these parts.

The Essence of Water and Community

Historically, springs played a fundamental role in the lives of rural and semi-rural communities. The Fonte do Poço Velho is a testament to this importance, once serving as a vital point for water supply, both for domestic needs and for agriculture and livestock. It was also, perhaps, a place for meeting and socializing, where news was exchanged and daily moments were shared, grounding the social life of the locality around this essential element.

Architecture and Time

Like many water structures that dot the Portuguese landscape, the Fonte do Poço Velho reveals a construction based on functionality and durability. Typically built with local materials, such as stone, these springs withstand the passage of centuries, maintaining their form and purpose. Their formal simplicity is often their greatest richness, reflecting a pragmatic approach to water engineering that has served generations and continues to mark the local identity with its discreet and robust presence.

Memory and Landscape

The presence of the Fonte do Poço Velho in the Coito area, in Tomar, is more than just a simple structure; it is an element that connects the present to the past, evoking the stories and routines of those who lived there. It contributes to the discreet beauty of the local landscape, offering a glimpse into the traditions and resilience of the communities that depended on these natural resources. It is a point of stillness that invites reflection on the ancestral relationship between man and water, a legacy that endures through time.

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