Sete Fontes

Sete Fontes is an underground water system in Braga consisting of fourteen galleries with vaulted stone chambers. This network stretched several kilometers through the landscape and was once the main water supply bringing fresh water to the city.

This system was built between 1744 and 1752 under Archbishop D. José de Bragança to supply water to Braga. It served the city for almost two centuries before it stopped being used in 1929.

The name refers to the seven springs that once fed this system, though visitors can only find six of them today. The site displays coats of arms from Portuguese nobility carved into its stone chambers, blending water engineering with baroque design.

The site is accessible through walking paths that start near the hospital and medical school buildings in the area. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and follow the marked routes to safely explore the underground structures and surrounding grounds.

Though the name means seven springs, one was removed in the 1990s for a housing project, reducing the system. This fate shows how modern development has affected historical infrastructure over time.

Location: São Victor

Architectural style: Baroque architecture in Portugal

Elevation above the sea: 226 m

GPS coordinates: 41.56949,-8.40386

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42