This fountain, dating from 1894, is considered to be the oldest in the town centre. It was designed to supply water to all those attending the weekly Amer market held in the Plaça de la Vila (Town square), which was first organized by the monastery and dates back to the 12th century. For many centuries it was the economic and social engine of the town, and it became one of the largest markets in the region. Held on Wednesdays, all kinds of products were sold here, especially cloth, but also clothing and household items. Farmers would set up in the porches with poultry, eggs and vegetables, and artisans with their workshops. The livestock market was held in the nearby Plaça de Sant Miquel.

The Amer market remained the commercial centre of the region until the mid-20th century. The Plaça de la Vila or Plaça Porxada (Porticoed square), as it is commonly known, is one of the largest porticoed squares in Catalonia. Its porches, all of varying periods and styles, date back to the 16th century.

Curiously, the cobblestones in the square come from different places in Catalonia, as other municipalities were asked to collaborate when it was re-developed in the early 1980s. In appreciation, each of these towns has an engraved plaque bearing its name fixed to the ground.