A labyrinth of Roman galleries in Lisbon, hidden beneath the city

You may not know it, but under your feet in Lisbon’s Baixa Chiado district are a series of labyrinthine galleries that you can visit! In this article, find out more about these Roman galleries in Lisbon.

History of Lisbon’s Roman galleries

These almost 2,000-year-old galleries date back to the Roman occupation. They were discovered in 1771, after the city was rebuilt following the earthquake of 1755.

Several interpretations exist as to the function of these galleries. The most common is that of a cryptoporticus, an architectural structure used by the Romans to support large buildings in areas of low geological stability. This structure, with its robust arches, withstood the earthquake of 1755.

At the beginning of the ^20thcentury, the galleries were known as the “Conservas de Água da Rua da Prata”, as they were used by the local population as a cistern. Even today, the water level in these reservoirs exceeds one metre, coming from the water table. So, before the galleries are opened to the public, firefighters use pumps to empty the water that floods them over a period of three days, making it possible to visit them.

The galleries. (photo credit: Rita Mereiles)

Lisbon’s Roman galleries: when to visit them?

If you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Roman galleries in Lisbon, and I can tell you it’s well worth the detour! A unique experience not to be missed if you happen to be in Lisbon at the time.

These galleries only open to the public twice a year(in April, to celebrate Monuments and Sites Day, and in September, for the European Heritage Days). Guided tours are organized by the Lisbon City Council.

Entrance to the galleries is via a trapdoor that opens in the middle of the rua da Conceição. The tour lasts 20 minutes and traverses the labyrinthine galleries.

The next dates will be in April, but have not yet been announced. Keep an eye on the Egeac Facebook or the Amoureux du Portugal Facebook, where dates will be published.

Entrance through the trapdoor (photo credit: Rita Mereiles)

Roman Galleries in Lisbon: where can I buy tickets?

The tickets to visit these galleries are worth their weight in gold, and I’m not just saying that because they’re expensive. Tickets cost 2€(free for children under 12), but they’re “worth their weight in gold” because they sell out as quickly as tickets to a Beyonce concert! You’ll need to get your tickets as soon as sales open, because there aren’t many places, and many of you want to get to know these Roman galleries in Lisbon.

Until recently, there were no tickets. Entrance to the galleries was on a first-come, first-served basis on the rua da Conceição, followed by a queue.

Today, visits to Lisbon’s Roman galleries are more organized. Tickets can be booked in advance on the websites of the Lisbon Museum, Egeac(Entreprise de Gestion et d’Equipements d’Animation Culturelle) and Lisbon City Hall. There’s no point in trying to get in without a reservation. You won’t get in!

Queue to enter the galleries (photo credit: David Martins)

Lisbon’s Roman Galleries: open all year round by the end of 2020?

In August 2019, Lisbon City Hall informed us via its Facebook page that from the end of 2020, the Roman Galleries in Lisbon would be open all year round. This information should be taken with a grain of salt, as other sources say the project has been abandoned … to be seen …

Facebook post from Lisbon City Hall.

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