Fonte dos Leões

The Fountain of the Lions (Portuguese: Fonte dos Leões), is a 19th century fountain built by French company Compagnie Générale des Eaux pour l'Etranger, in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória in municipality of Porto.

History

A competition was held in 1880, by the municipal water authority of Porto, under the direction of António Pinto de Magalhães (then president of Câmara Municipal of Porto). This resulted in a 1882 contract with the only submeter, the Compagnie Générale des Eaux pour l'Etranger. A decree was issued on 17 July 1882, which elaborated the and approved the provisional contract, which was promulgated on 27 July.

Work was initiated in 1883, to begin the supply of water to the city. This new project included a supply that included the design for the Lion fountain. On 30 August 1883, the design was rejected by the municipal commission, but on 13 August 1885, the municipal representatives approved the project sent by Carlos de Pezerat (4 July). Construction began on 25 September, and water began to flow as on 19 December 1886.

By 1 January 1887, the public water supply project for the city of Porto was concluded.

From 1942, the fountain was a less obligatory passage channels of the city, and began to be supplied by the Arca de Sá Noronha.

Architecture

The fountain is located in an urban, isolated location, within the gardened Praça de Gomes Teixeira.

The central fountain has a cruciform layout with a group of sculptures at the base supported by four seated lions on the extremes. Between each lion, the axis of the source has a column with base, shaft and capital. To top, two central, circular cups superimposed and staggered, with a pine cone surmounting all. The octagonal shaped granite tank has rounded edges. The outer profile of the tank walls is corrugated. The edge of the lower plane bowl is outlined in relief by a frieze with plant elements interrupted only by four cornets from which water flows.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Jennifer Domingo
17 September 2016
Good place to people watch and be surrounded by wonderful architecture
Victor Shchenkh
14 June 2018
Scenic view of the church ⛪
Chic Reaction
10 March 2013
The official name it's Praça Gomes Teixeira but everyone knows as Praça dos Leões. Here you can visit the old building of Reitoria da Universidade do Porto.
Roberto Silva
15 September 2014
Antiga faculdade ciências, agora reitoria da universidade do porto e onde se podem ver muitas atividades acadêmicas!
Sergey Pinigin
5 May 2013
Только что толпа студентов проводила ритуал посвещения - подымали одной из студенток голову из этого фонтана с помощью специального горшочка.
António Sengo
15 December 2014
Óptimo espaço ao ar livre no porto
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.2/10
Luís Carlos and 6,532 more people have been here
Map
Praça de Gomes Teixeira 14, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal Get directions
Mon-Sun 24 Hours

Fonte dos Leões on Foursquare

Fonte dos Leões on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Varanda 2

starting $0

Frente 1

starting $55

Frente 1

starting $0

Ultimo

starting $0

Exe Almada Porto

starting $439

Vera Cruz Porto Hotel

starting $107

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Livraria Lello & Irmão

Livraria Lello & Irmão, also known as Livraria Chardron or simply

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Clérigos Church

The Clérigos Church (Portuguese: Igreja dos Clérigos, pronounced ]; 'C

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Liberdade Square (Porto)

Liberdade Square (Liberty or Freedom Square; português. 'Praça da L

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Avenida dos Aliados

A Avenida dos Aliados é um importante arruamento na freguesia de

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Soares dos Reis National Museum

National Museum Soares dos Reis (português. Museu Nacional Soares dos

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Chafariz da Colher

The Fountain of Colher (português. Fonte da Colher|links=no), is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Porto Cathedral

The Porto Cathedral (português. 'Sé do Porto'), located in the h

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palácio da Bolsa

The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is a historical building

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fountains of Bellagio

REDIRECT Bellagio (resort)#Fountains of Bellagio

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Jet d'Eau

The Jet d'Eau, or water-jet, is a large fountain in Geneva,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or 'Fountain of the Four Rivers'

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Miroir d'eau

The Miroir d'eau (Water Mirror) or Miroir des Quais (Quay Mirror) in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Triton Fountain (Malta)

The Triton Fountain is the central feature in City Gate Square,

See all similar places