Virtudes fountain II

From an organizational point of view, this fountain’s design features a large backrest, which can be vertically divided into three wall panels, mostly decorated in the centre. In the lower area of the central panel, two frowns spout water into the tank (now practically buried). These frowns, shaped as the «heads of beasts», display an exotic taste and a decorative language that is known as Mannerist, and were inspired by 16th century treatises (FERREIRA-ALVES 1997: 55-56). In the upper area, two high relief embossed castles were preserved, flanking a niche that once displayed an image of Our Lady, also known as the Lady of Virtudes (now missing). The ensemble represented the coat of arms of the city.