It dates to 1746 and was constructed by André de Melo e Castro [Wikidata], viceroy of Brazil, to supply water to a prison, soldiers, and residents.

The fountain is located to the southeast of the settlement of Morro de São Paulo, and was the most advanced water supply system in colonial Brazil.

[1][2][3] André de Melo e Castro (1668-1753), viceroy of Brazil, built the three-spouted fountain to serve a local prison, soldiers on the Island of Tinharé, and resident.

Dom Pedro II, during a tour of Morro de Sao Paulo in 1859, recorded the existence of "a public fountain with three spouts.

It consists of a feed stream; a vaulted adduction gallery; a circular cistern covered by a brick, tiled dome in the shape of a half-orange; a wastewater catchment; an iron chute; stairs, and a drainage system.