Roman Galleries of Rua da Prata
A Roman cryptoporticus beneath the Baixa, open only a few days a year; there were no visits in 2026.
Roman Galleries of Rua da Prata – Museu de Lisboa
The Roman Galleries of Rua da Prata are a Roman structure hidden beneath the Baixa, discovered in 1771 in the wake of the 1755 earthquake and the rebuilding of the city. They form a cryptoporticus, an architectural solution that, on sloping and geologically unstable ground, created a level platform able to support large buildings, usually public ones. In the early twentieth century the galleries became known as the 'Conservas de Água da Rua da Prata', as local people used them as a cistern. When closed they hold more than a metre of water from the aquifers that run beneath the city, so every opening requires the water to be pumped out first. Visits are managed by the Museu de Lisboa, which usually opens the monument for four days in April, to mark the International Day for Monuments and Sites, and in September, during the European Heritage Days. The meeting point is on the corner of Rua da Conceição and Rua dos Correeiros; the visit lasts 20 to 25 minutes and is not recommended for people with reduced mobility. In 2026, in order to improve visiting conditions, the galleries did not open in either April or September, and the museum has said further information will be released in due course.
Located at: Museu de Lisboa
Address: Rua da Conceição, 62, 1100-161 Lisboa (acesso)
Opening hours: Usually open only four days in April and in September; no openings in 2026 (April and September cancelled to improve visiting conditions)
Coordinates: 38.709749, -9.1367954
Buses: 711, 732, 736, 746, 759, 760, 783, 737, 10B, 728
Tram: 12E, 28E, 15E, 25E
Metro: Baixa-Chiado (Blue, Green), Terreiro do Paço (Blue)
Train: Sintra Line, Rossio Station, Cascais Line, Cais do Sodré Station
Boat: Terreiro do Paço River Station
