Fountain of Águas Ferreas
| Fountain of the Iron Waters (Fonte das Águas Ferreas) | |
| Fountain of Águas Ferreas | |
| Fountain (Fonte) | |
| Named for: Iron Waters | |
| Country |  Portugal |
|---|---|
| Region | Norte |
| Subregion | Cávado |
| District | Braga |
| Municipality | Braga |
| Location | Fraião |
| - elevation | 199 m (653 ft) |
| - coordinates | 41°32′30.33″N 8°23′57.19″W / 41.5417583°N 8.3992194°WCoordinates: 41°32′30.33″N 8°23′57.19″W / 41.5417583°N 8.3992194°W |
| Length | 6.95 m (23 ft), Northwest-Southeast |
| Width | 6.35 m (21 ft), Southwest-Northeast |
| Architects | Carlos Amarante, Paulo Vidal |
| Style | Baroque |
| Material | Granite |
| Origin | July 1773 |
| - Initiated | July 30, 1773 |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| For public | Public |
| Easiest access | Avenida Robert Smith |
| Management | Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico |
| Operator | Câmara Municipal de Braga |
| Status |
Property of Public Interest Imóvel de Interesse Público |
The Fountain of the Iron Waters (Portuguese: Fonte das Águas Ferreas), is a Baroque fountain in the civil parish of Fraião, municipality of Braga. The fountain, with ornate backrest, is located in an "L"-shaped courtyard, with a zoomorphic spout, niche and contorned frame. The design integrates details approximating decorative elements used by André Soares, most notably the Municipal Hall and Church of the Congregados, highlighting the abilities of master-mason Paulo Vidal. However, this project was actually designed by Carlos Amarante, at the beginning of his career, having been appointed the inspector of public works in 1773.
In July 1773, as a sequence of events resulting from the discovery of the iron waters in the civil parish of Fraião, the archbishop (D. Gaspar de Bragança) ordered the municipal council to proceed with the use of the waters. On July 30, of the same year, the municipal government decided to construct "for the people with better hygiene, comfort and seclusion to serve from the said water", contracted master mason Paulo Vidal (a resident of Adaúfe) to construct the fountain for 80$000 réis. The waters became famous for its health-related properties, including chronic inflammations; the medicinal waters of Fraião were referenced in the book Bens da Fábrica da Igreja de Lamacães in 1775.
As a sequence of interest manifested by professor José Joaquim da Silva Pereira Caldas from the Liceu Sá de Miranda in 1851, a report was provided to the municipal council on the superior quality of the fountain's waters. Councilmen José Valério Capela suggested the examination of the waters, budgeting the analysis of the water, as well as the construction of a public road from the Largo do Espadanido to the fountain. A commission of inquiry visited the fountain on 21 July, determining the necessity that the fountain should be cleaned and repaired.
In 1977, a visit by members of the municipal council to the location, resulting in the cleaning of the fountain. At the same time, a number of articles were published in the newspapers, by the parish priest of Fraião, Father António Oliveira Gomes, noting its abandon. But, even then, there was a lack of interest; by 1979 was covered in brushwood and clay, hiding the fountain.
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