Ourém Cistern

Category: Civil Architecture > Cistern

District: Santarém > Ourém > Ourém > Antiga Vila de Ourém

Location

The Cistern of Ourém is located in the Old Village of Ourém, the highest and most historic part of the locality of Ourém. This place, once the heart of a medieval settlement, offers a unique perspective over the surrounding valley. The cistern is situated in the central area of this ancient borough, at a strategic point that ensured access to a vital resource for its inhabitants.

The Essential Function

During the Middle Ages, the Cistern of Ourém played an absolutely crucial role in the life of the community. It was the main source of potable water supply for the local residents, fundamental for their daily subsistence. Its presence allowed the settlement to be self-sufficient in terms of water, especially during periods of siege, ensuring the resilience and capacity for resistance of all who lived there.

Design and Construction

This remarkable subterranean structure stands out for its ogival plan, a geometric shape that optimized its water storage capacity. The cistern was ingeniously built to collect and preserve water from a natural spring. Its design and its subterranean location are testaments to the knowledge and hydraulic expertise of medieval builders, who knew how to effectively utilize natural resources.

An Enduring Testimony

The Cistern of Ourém symbolizes the vital importance of water in ancient communities and human ingenuity in ensuring survival in challenging environments. It is a silent monument that speaks of the resilience and adaptability of peoples from the past. Its enduring presence is an invitation to reflect on resource management and on the marks that history has left on the urban landscape of the Old Village of Ourém.

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