Underground River in Porto: A different museum to visit in town soon

There is a river flowing below our feet in the city of Porto that goes unnoticed. For centuries, this water source has enabled the water supply of fountains and waterworks.

The Rio da Vila runs beneath the São Bento Station and Praça da Ribeira, from Mouzinho da Silveira street and São João street. Over 350 meters it is possible to find many remains left from the roman times.

The underground river flows four metres below the ground, in the two and a half-metre-wide and three meters high tunnel. This is a place where silence is in stark contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city above.

The Rio da Vila River was forced beneath ground in the nineteenth century for historic development. Urban explorers will have a blast at discovering the Rio da Vila Museum, as this underground river is as old as the Invicta.

The granite walls and the vaulted ceilings are all the more reason to the museualization of this archaeological site in Porto.

The project is developed in the framework of the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, namely the water cycle in Porto, and foresees the establishment of a walkway with stopping points. Information on the river and the city will be displayed on cell phones or tablets.

This museum will take visitors four meters under the surface of Porto and will offer a rare step back in time, when the city was being built.

Entrance to the underground museum will be trough the São Bento Metro station. In between this passageway, there will be exhibit rooms and exit will be at the São Domingos Square, now ongoing rehabilitation works.

When the museum comes on stream, just go with the flow.