| São Luís - Others - Fountain of Ribeirão |
Fountain of Ribeirão |
Fountain of Ribeirão is a valuable example of the architecture of the colonial
epoch. It was built in 1796 under orders of governor Dom Fernando Antônio de Noronha. Located in an ample courtyard, covered with pedra de
cantaria and surrounded by two walls, Fountain of Ribeirão is decorated with a "frontão" ornamented with religious symbols, supported by two
lateral pillars.
The water comes out of five stone sculptures with bronze caps, fixed in the wall.
After falling in a tank, the excess of water flows to Praia do Caju. The most interesting about the fountain are the underground galleries, which
form a real labyrinth. On past centuries, they were connections channels among the churches built by Jesuits in the city.
There’s a legend that says that, inside the fountain exists a serpent that will
destroy São Luís in the day the head finds the tail. Fountain of Ribeirão is situated between Rua dos Afogados and Rua das Barrocas. Since 1950
it is protected by IPHAN - Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional. |
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