FOUNTAIN OF PINA
This fountain was probably excavated during the Islamic period and played a major role in the creation of this city centre. Next to it, under a porch with arches, there are several washing places with ten stone basins. The fountain is a “qanat” or irrigation tunnel, which still fully conserves a dry stone gallery and the flat slab roof which shelters the route.
Following the Catalan conquest, a direct access was made to the mother well with a large stairway which reaches the two basins into which the well water flows. The excess water from the basins spills through a lateral conduit until it rejoins the original drainage canal of the qanat. Outside, the system is completed by a series of basins, which must have served as a trough and several ponds. The surplus water flows along a semi-circular vaulted sewer made of fitted stone which also drains the floods from the Torrentera (rainwater) channel. The entire complex conserves the stone road.
The moisture from this fountain has populated the environment of this village with lush vegetation.
Next to the entrance to the fountain premises, there is the “Creu de Terme” or Pina Municipal Border Cross, dated in 1903 with a Neo-Gothic Style made of sandstone and limestone. There are two inscriptions of Christ (IHS and PX) and the Coat of Arms of Pina (a pine tree and the letters, “NA”); beside it, there is a hackberry tree and the entrance to the gardens has a segmental arch and an ornamental homage to Dr. W. Mendel dated 1988; a path with a pergola provides access to this patio.
How to find the fountain of Pina
Algaida
Algaida is a typical rural area found in the most southern part of the region called “es Pla de Mallorca”, a place where agricultural traditions are still commemorated in the local spirit. Algaida is, however, also a place of great diversity, both in its landscapes and when it comes to the things you can do here. There are a bunch of local points of interest to see such as the parish church of Sant Pere i Sant Pau, the old stone croosses in the streets, the famous Cura sanctuary, the Xina windmill and the medieval chapel of Castellitx built immediately after the Catalan conquest of the island. But there is also the famous Gordiola glass factory and the Modelmon interior design showroom. Algaida also celebrates its traditions several times a year with entertaining festivals in the town, absolutely worth attending for a cultural input.
Other charming destinations in the Pla de Mallorca region
