Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Setúbal > Seixal > Aldeia de Paio Pires > Quinta da Courela
The Aldeia de Paio Pires Water Tower is strategically located at Quinta da Courela, in the heart of the locality of Aldeia de Paio Pires. This area is part of the municipality of Seixal, belonging to the district of Setúbal, a region on the south bank of the Tagus estuary. Its elevated position and the uniqueness of its structure make it a visual landmark in the surrounding urban landscape, easily identifiable by those travelling through the area.
The tower's location provides an interesting perspective on the urban and rural development of Aldeia de Paio Pires, fitting into an environment that combines proximity to residential areas with more open spaces, characteristic of old estates.
Originally built as part of the essential infrastructure for the community's water supply, the Aldeia de Paio Pires Water Tower played a vital role in the daily lives of the population for many years. Its construction reflects an era when planning and civil engineering were crucial to ensuring the efficient distribution of a resource as fundamental as water.
In a notable initiative of heritage preservation and valorisation, this old water reservoir underwent a redevelopment process. The structure, once purely utilitarian, was carefully adapted to house a new cultural purpose, transforming into a space dedicated to enjoyment and knowledge sharing. This conversion gives the tower a new life, allowing its history to continue to be told, now from a different perspective.
The architecture of the Aldeia de Paio Pires Water Tower is a testament to the functional engineering of its time. Its imposing and robust form, designed for the storage and distribution of large volumes of water, stands out for its solidity and the purity of its lines. Although built for a practical purpose, its structure possesses its own aesthetic, characteristic of the utilitarian civil constructions that marked the 20th century.
Currently, as a cultural space, the tower invites visitors to explore its past and present. Visitors can explore the interior of a structure that, in its essence, represents a pillar of modern civilization, access to water. Its redevelopment offers a unique opportunity to observe the adaptability of heritage, where the history of an infrastructure intertwines with its new role as a centre of cultural and educational interest.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.6208957,-9.0826179
Coordinates DMS: 38°37'15.2"N 09°04'57.4"W