Lisbon Noir

The Lisbon Electricity Museum is a unique example of a well-preserved industrial site.  It opened in 2006 and shows the equipment of the old electricity generating unit in a completely renovated building. It is worth a visit both for those interested in the workings of industrial machinery and those interested in  the esthetics of old machinery and industrial buildings. It is a pity that sites  such as the Battersea Power Station, a majestic building along the Thames in London, are not preserved in the same way.

The Águas Livres Aqueduct spans the Alcântara valley in Lisbon with its 35 arches and is nowadays part of the Museu da Água. It is accessible to those interested and offers panoramic views over the Alcântara valley.

It also has an illustrious past because of the Spanish serial killer, Diogo Alves, who from 1836 to 1839 would hide close to the Águas Livres Aqueduct waiting for his victims who would use the aqueduct as a bridge to cross the valley. After robbing them he would throw the bodies from the top of the aqueduct and he is said to have killed 76 victims.

The Barbadinhos Steam Pumping Room is part of the Museu da Água and although it is not as centrally located as the two reservoirs, the Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras Reservoir and the Patriarcal Reservoir, it is worth the visit. And if you are there at the right time you can even see and hear the pumping room in action.

Throughout Lisbon you can find remnants of an extensive aqueduct system, called Aqueduto das Águas Livres (or “Aqueduct of the Free Waters”). It was built in the 18th century and at that time supplied Lisbon with much needed drinking water.  Nowadays it is no longer in use and parts have been destroyed but through the Museu da Água (or “Water Museum”) you can still access two reservoirs, the Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir, and the Patriarcal Reservoir, the Barbadinhos Steam Pumping Room and part of the Águas Livres Aqueduct itself.

Reservatório da Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras & Reservatório da Patriarcal