Ana Valentina Angelo
Tavarede's centenary Fountain
Under the skies of Figueira XVI
Hello Figueira!
Beautiful sky, Figueira, blue as if it were the Atlantic bathing the infinite. I walk in Tavarede, one of Figueira’s fourteen parishes. The boulevard is quiet and pleasant. I quickly reach the Paço de Tavarede, the historic center of the village.
Tavarede the land of Lemon Verbena
Tavarede is also known as “Terra do Limonete” due to a legend, from ancient times, that tells a story of the passion of a Christian knight for a young enchanted Moor that took refuge in a cave, in Monte Santa Eulália. He protects and rescues, leading her to pleasant lands, perfumed by aromatic plants, among which the predominance was from the Lemon Verbena; here is our Tavarede from Figueira da Foz.
Tavarede Historic Center
As in the vast majority of Figueira parishes, “the old nucleus of Tavarede is, even today, easily perceptible […] from the church to Paço de Tavarede …” ¹. The entire region boasts centuries-old historic traces, styles of construction, denominations and narrow streets, tiles on the façades, urban and rural activities intertwined.

Tavarede's centenary Fountain in Figueira da Foz

In this scenario, among other heritage, lies the humble centenary water spring of the neighborhood, built in 1876. It is the Fonte de Tavarede. It is considered the best drinking water in the municipality of Figueira da Foz.
Precious jewels in the simple fountain of Tavarede



Tribute to honorable Tavaredenses

On the side wall next to the spring, a tribute to five prominent characters in Tavarede’s history appears on the tile:
João da Silva Cascão, theater amateur, Antônio Jorge da Silva , mayor and theater amateur, José Nunes Medina, musicologist, Violinda Medina e Silva theater amateur, José da Silva Ribeiro, politician, journalist, philanthropist and theater man.


You, Special Guest of Figueira da Foz, do not miss this opportunity to visit the small and romantic Fountain, two kilometers from the beaches of Buarcos and Claridade.
See you then.
Delusions
Ana Valentina Angelo
… and from your jug you gave me to drink
you once looked at me,
I saw you once, only
from afar…
I missed your hand
which I never held
and I missed your love
which I had never felt
… the journey is over
here I am again looking at the fountain
without a pitcher, without you
although I never had you,
I know I lost you.
Fonts and Citations:
¹https://www.cm-figfoz.pt/cmfigueiradafoz/uploads/document/file/1556/programa_estrategico.pdf
²http://tavaredehistorias.blogspot.com/2010/07/rogerio-reynaud.html
http://tavaredehistorias.blogspot.com/2010/04/manuel-cardoso-marta.html
https://www.coisas.com/CARDOSO-MARTHA-CORPO-E-ALMA-SONETOS-FIGUEIRA-DA-FOZ
1957,name,230117918,auction_id,auction_details
https://www.cm-figfoz.pt/pages/1053?poi_id=191
https://www.jornaldasautarquias.pt/edicoes/coimbra/cultura-item.php?id=222
Column: Under the Skies of Figueira
Author: Ana Valentina Angelo