Galerias Romanas da Rua da Prata, Roman archaeological cryptoporticus in Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon, Portugal.
The Galerias Romanas da Rua da Prata are underground vaulted corridors from ancient times running beneath modern Lisbon's streets. These passages stand roughly three meters tall and span two to three meters wide, with curved ceilings that once supported buildings constructed at street level above.
These vaults were built during Emperor Augustus's reign, between the first century before Christ and the first century after, serving as crucial infrastructure for a prosperous Roman settlement. They reveal the advanced construction techniques that Roman engineers used to organize urban space beneath the streets.
The inscriptions carved into the walls tell of two Roman citizens, Marcus Afranius Euporio and Lucius Fabius Daphnus, who dedicated this place for the city's use. The street itself has carried its name through centuries, reflecting the long trading and settlement history of this neighborhood.
Access is through a manhole cover in Rua da Conceicao, and visits happen only with guided group tours. Flooding conditions at the site make visits seasonal and quite limited, so it is worth checking ahead about availability.
The galleries flood regularly, requiring firefighters to actively pump out water before visits can take place. This rare access point makes each expedition a special and time-limited event.
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