34 antiche fontane

La borgata Mineres (o anche Ropes) è dotata di una fontana posta proprio al centro dell’abitato, al termi-ne della strada asfaltata. Una vasca unica, in pietra: l’impianto traeva alimentazione da una sorgente sul versante opposto alla borgata, attraverso una con-dotta sotterranea. Alla base della cannula il partico-lare, assolutamente curioso, costituito dalla scritta scolpita nella pietra: “E proibitto lavare MDCCCCII”. Una chiara indicazione dell’utilizzo a cui era desti-nata la fontana e della data della sua costruzione, identificabile nel 1902. Ma guardandoci attorno ri-usciremo a scoprire un altro particolare interessan-te. Infatti scendendo di pochi passi lungo la disce-sa di fronte alla vasca, giungiamo in corrispondenza

di quello che era il lavatoio ab-binato alla fontana. La struttura è oggi collocata su una proprie-tà privata e non è più alimenta-ta dal collegamento con la so-vrastante fontana. Sono in ogni caso pregevoli le caratteristiche costruttive, in particolare nei conci in calcare che compongo-no il vecchio lavatoio.

Avvicinamento alla fontana: dalla fontana al centro della borga-ta Çates (Çates 2) si prosegue la discesa fino al termine della strada asfaltata.

MineresANTICHEFONTANE

Particolare della scritta

Inscription detail

35

The hamlet of Mineres (also known as Ropes) has a fountain right in the centre of the hamlet, at the end of a paved road. The fountain has a single stone tub: the installation collected its supply from a water source on the slope op-posite the hamlet, through an underground pip-ing system. At the foundation of the pipe, it is possible to see an absolutely peculiar detail, an engraving which quotes: “E proibitto lavare MDCCCCII” [Washing is forbidden MDCCCCII]. This gives us a clear hint about the fountain usage and about the date of its construction, 1902ca.. But if we look around, we would probably discover another interesting de-tail. Just a few steps after the slope in front of the tub, it is possible in fact to reach the washboard previously connected to the fountain and no long-er used. The installation is currently on a private property, and is no longer supplied by the connec-tion with the overhanging fountain. Anyway, there are some valuable structural features, notably the limestone castings in the old washboard.

Approach to the fountain: from the fountain in the centre of the hamlet of Çates (Çates 2), go downstream until the end of the paved road.

Çates

Mineres

Çates 1

Çates 2

Fontana

Merangola

Mineres

La fontanaThe fountain

14

ancient fountains

35

The hamlet of Mineres (also known as Ropes) has a fountain right in the centre of the hamlet, at the end of a paved road. The fountain has a single stone tub: the installation collected its supply from a water source on the slope op-posite the hamlet, through an underground pip-ing system. At the foundation of the pipe, it is possible to see an absolutely peculiar detail, an engraving which quotes: “E proibitto lavare MDCCCCII” [Washing is forbidden MDCCCCII]. This gives us a clear hint about the fountain usage and about the date of its construction, 1902ca.. But if we look around, we would probably discover another interesting de-tail. Just a few steps after the slope in front of the tub, it is possible in fact to reach the washboard previously connected to the fountain and no long-er used. The installation is currently on a private property, and is no longer supplied by the connec-tion with the overhanging fountain. Anyway, there are some valuable structural features, notably the limestone castings in the old washboard.

Approach to the fountain: from the fountain in the centre of the hamlet of Çates (Çates 2), go downstream until the end of the paved road.

Çates

Mineres

Çates 1

Çates 2

Fontana

Merangola

Mineres

La fontanaThe fountain

14

ancient fountains