Chafariz d’El-Rei was Lisbon's first ever public fountain, built in the 13th century. It follows the outline of the city's historic Moorish Walls and had the main function of supplying the Portuguese ships, traveling back and forth to India, with fresh water, in the context of the Age of Discovery.

The fountain was recurrently renovated and reconstructed over the centuries and used to have nine different water taps, one for each social class / group.