The galleries found underneath Rua da Prata (Silver Street) in downtown Lisbon are estimated to have been built in the 1st century AD, during the peak of the Roman Empire. Over the centuries, the Roman structures on the surface crumbled or were replaced by new buildings. However, newer buildings were continuously constructed on the pre-existing Roman foundations.
This cryptoporticus was discovered after the 1755 Great Earthquake.
Public access is only possible 3 days a year after pumping out all the water accumulated over the entire year and the installation of lights (video). Water pumps continue work until the monument is once again closed to the public due to the significant rate of water seepage.
23 comments:
Looks very interesting. After watching the video, I don't thing I'd venture down there, tho.
Sounds like it takes some dedication to get a peek at this slice of history.
Nunca tinha ouvido falar destas caves Romanas, mas por acaso no Domingo vimos uma reportagem nas noticias Portuguesas que são transmitidas na Austrália. Interessante, pena que só seja possivel estarem abertas 3 dias por ano.
I've never considered myself claustrophobic but I'm not sure I'd want to make the journey down there.
It would be a scary adventure, but I'd love to see it!! Wonderful history!! Hope your week is going well, JM!
So amazing! Such history!
i don't know if i'd like to visit that.
Oh man, this is super exciting!!
I would plan a trip to Lisbon around those three dates.
Can't they find a way to keep the water out and open to tourists all the time?
I'd love to see Roman ruins, and saw some in Paris, but I'd hesitate to make an underground crawl, I think. . .
I think I would freak out down there!
Very interesting but I do not think you would get me down there!! Diane
Interesting, how do they avoid the rain and water going in !
That would be something to see. Nice shot.
Muito interessante! Eu não sei se teria coragem de visitar, tenho afliçao a lugares fechados!
Léia
That would be an interesting place to visit.
What a lot of trouble they go to.
did you visit it ? how interesting ! :)
Absolutely fascinating JM, loved the video but there's no way in the world that you'd get me down there!
What a great adventure!
That is what I call UNIQUE!:)
Thanks for sharing (also the video.)
Oh yeah, I'd take the plunge! (But it would depend on what shoes I was wearing that day).
Absolutely fascinating! I would love to see this. The video was amazing.
What a fascinating thing to see!
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