Fountain of São Miguel

The Fountain of São Miguel (Portuguese: Chafariz de São Miguel) is a fountain located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória, in the Portuguese north, municipality of Porto, classified as a Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest).

Fountain of São Miguel
Chafariz de São Miguel
The fountain as it stands on the north facade of Sé Cathedral
ArtistNicolau Nasoni
MediumGranite Fountain
SubjectArchangel Michael
LocationPorto, Portugal
Coordinates41°08′35″N 8°36′39″W
OwnerPortuguese Republic
WebsiteOfficial Site

History
The small statute of the Archangel Michael
The central bas-relief of Michael and the devil

The fountain was originally constructed in 1737, from the writings of Gabriel Pedro Velasques.[1]

A second phase of construction occurred in the second half of the 18th century, but occurred in the Largo da Sé following the location of the demolished Arco da Vandoma, and later transferred to the actual location.[1] It was likely ordered constructed by the canons of the Sé Cathedral.[1]

Architecture

The fountain is isolated, leaning against the north facade of the Sé Cathedral of Porto, specifically the parochial sacristy and the Chapel of the Holy Sacrement. Nearby is the Casa da Câmara.[1]

The fountain has a low back and curved profile with wedge-shaped pilasters and an upper cornice forming a curved pediment to the center.[1] A small fountain springs from the central urn to a stone bowl.[1] To the back, wrought iron railing separates the two wedge-shaped urns and central base.[1] The centre is dominated by the main column with lateral curvilinear frontispiece and bas-relief, featuring the Archangel Michael holding a sword and shield and stepping on the devil.[1] The shaft is interrupted by rings and decorative flourishes that rise to support a figure of the archangel Michael.[1]

References

Notes
  1. Sereno, Isabel; Leão, Miguel; Costa, Patrícia (2004), SIPA (ed.), Chafariz do Anjo São Miguel/Chafariz da Sé/Fonte de São Miguel o Anjo (IPA.00000215/PT011312140014) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, retrieved 29 February 2016

Sources
  • Pacheco, Hélder (1984), Porto, Portugal Novos Guias de Portugal (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal
  • Joaquim, Jaime B. (1988), O Porto na Época dos Almadas arquitectura. Obras Públicas (in Portuguese), Porto, Portugal
  • Quaresma, Maria Clementina de Carvalho (1995), Inventário Artístico do Portugal Porto, Cidade (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal
  • Silva, Germano da (2000), Fontes e Chafarizes do Porto (in Portuguese), Porto, Portugal
  • Velasques, Gabriel Pedro (2001), Memórias d'água: fontes, fontanários e chafarizes (in Portuguese), Matosinhos, Portual
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