History Chafariz da Colher

the fountain of colhar seen along corner of buildings in rua nova da alfândega

although had inscription 1629, construction dates earlier, because in district archive of porto, registry document in sé (livro lxxix das sentenças, 1491, p.151) referred conditional contract 300 réis, imposed on homes in miragaia.

the name of fountain came imposed collection of payment waters. colher portuguese spoon, measure of payment goods sold in porto (bread, flour, walnuts, etc.), arrived land or river. products arrived land paid tribute @ gate of sé bishop. arrived river , sold @ fair near miragaia shipyards paid @ fountain. merchants, each alqueire of product, required pay on colher (spoon) of tribute.

the waters of fountain considered 1 of better quality sources. believed fountain 1 of oldest, still functioning, structures in city of porto. municipal council tried appropriate water fountain, ordering inscription in granite: água desta fonte é somente da sidade (the water of fountain solely of city).

with opening-up of rua nova da alfândega around 1871, fountain began exist under level of road, , lost in corner of buildings. done facilitate access building , new customhouse in porto.

in 1940, there efforts municipality of porto restore , recuperate fountain.