Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain
District: Vila Real > Montalegre > Cervos > Arcos
The Roman Fountain of Arcos is located in the village of Arcos, within the parish of Cervos, in the municipality of Montalegre. This point of interest is discreetly integrated into the village environment. To access its front patio, visitors descend a few steps from the main street, which gives it a certain seclusion and a more intimate atmosphere, in harmony with the surrounding houses.
The originality of the Roman Fountain of Arcos lies in its remarkable integration with the existing natural rock formation. It is not an isolated construction, but a structure that utilizes and shapes the rock itself. Water spouts from two small caves, carved into the rock. One of these cavities is distinguished by its broken arch shape, which, together with the surrounding rock, creates a kind of natural vault, offering an organic architectural spectacle. It is a typical plunge fountain, where access to the water is gained by descending to the structure's lower level.
In front of the openings from which the water emerges, the fountain has a small patio, accessible by steps. This space is flanked by two trapezoidal tanks, which in the past played an essential role as communal laundries, revealing the practical and social function of the fountain in the daily life of the village. The exterior part of the fountain features a rectangular structure, elegantly topped by a cornice. At its upper corners, two pinnacles stand out, and at the center, a simple Latin cross, giving the ensemble a touch of decorative and symbolic detail.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.76103955, -7.6728574
Coordinates DMS: 41°45'39.7"N 07°40'22.3"W
On-duty Pharmacy Cervos
