DRINKING FOUNTAIN OF ARRUDA DOS VINHOS

In the centre of the village of Arruda imposes itself, with its three waterspouts, the ‘Pombalino’ drinking fountain, which would have been built in 1789, replacing an old carved stone fountain.

In the XVIII century, special attention has been dedicated by the crown to the issue of water supply to the populations, being the constructions arising from this concern also a way for the nobility and the clergy to affirm their power, associating to the constructions their own image, usually through the exhibition of coats of arms. Thus, the coat of arms of Portugal, crest of D. José, at the crown of the Arruda dos Vinhos drinking fountain hints at a possible regal collaboration in its edification. It appears that the reconstruction was made at the expense of a native of the village of Arruda, Domingos Gambôa e Liz, a nobleman-knight of the Royal House and first Deputy of the Junta de Administração das Fábricas do Reino e Obras das Águas Livres. Mateus Vicente de Oliveira was probably in charge of the work. Mateus Vicente has occupied various positions as an architect at the service of the Casa do Infantado, as an Inquirer and Distributer of the city of Coimbra, and at the service of the Lisbon Senate. The ‘Architect of the Royal Works’ has laboured in the course of 50 years in works of construction of palaces and churches at the service of three monarchs: D. João V, D. José I and D. Maria I.

The backdrop is sectioned by pilasters, which are topped by cressets settled on pyramidal bases. The counter-curve overhanging of the three wall faces converges, at the centre, in the ogee arch which crowns and makes the axis of the monument stand out. Consisting of the basin and respective spouts, followed by a vegetalist motif which connects itself to the coat of arms, and ending with the urn that completes the arch. The access to the spout’s platform is made through two staircases at the extremes of the fountain, opening up between them a broad rectangular tank which is preceded, in the frontal elevation, by a set of pillars. A spout directly connected to the upper basin supplies the tank with water. 
The drinking fountain was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and is a contemporary of the French Invasions, having been the stage of a number of historical events. We highlight the 1910 episode, when the Republic was proclaimed at the City Hall, which faces the fountain, to great joy of the people. And, in an act of overturning of the Monarchy, the Royal Crown on the backdrop was chipped away.

The fountain is classified as Building of Interest Property since October 26th, 2005.