Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain and Washhouse
District: Setúbal > Santiago do Cacém > Alvalade > Bica
Imagine a place that was once essential for people's daily lives. The Fonte e Lavadouro da Bica (Bica Fountain and Washhouse) is precisely that: a complex that combines a water fountain (the bica, or spout) with a large public tank for washing clothes (the lavadouro, or washhouse).
In a time when not all homes had piped water, the fountain was a vital spot for fetching water for drinking and household use. The washhouse, on the other hand, was where women gathered for the task of washing clothes, scrubbing them in the tanks. It was also an important space for socializing and sharing within the community.
This type of public construction, which combines a fountain and a washhouse, is characteristic of a period when there was investment in basic infrastructure for the population. The Fonte e Lavadouro da Bica was generally built in the early 20th century, reflecting the needs and customs of the era.
The space typically consists of the fountain area, with the bica(s) (spout(s)) from which water flows into a tank, and the washhouse area, with long tanks made of stone or cement where clothes were washed by hand. It is a simple and functional structure, designed for its utility.
More than just a place to get water or wash clothes, the Fonte e Lavadouro da Bica was a social hub. It was here that people met, exchanged news, and forged bonds, representing an important part of daily life and community life of yesteryear.
Observing the Fonte e Lavadouro da Bica allows you to step back in time and imagine what daily life was like without today's conveniences. It is a physical testament to a recent past and a reminder of the importance of water and shared spaces for the community.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.94061853241084, -8.389886494243356
Coordinates DMS: 37°56'26.2"N 08°23'23.6"W
On-duty Pharmacy Alvalade
