The most recent addition to the Museu da Água is the Galeria do Loreto (‘Loreto Gallery’), which connects the Reservatório da Patriarcal with the São Pedro de Alcântara garden. The Galeria do Loreto has a total length of 2835 m and a public tour is now available of a part of gallery (around 400 meter). There are plans to open up other parts of the gallery.
The Laboratorio Chimico is part of the Museu de Ciência da Universidade de Lisboa (‘Museum of Science of the University of Lisbon’). It is a restored 19th century chemistry laboratory that was part of the former Polytechnic School and was used for research and teaching. It still has the original lecture theater and chemistry lab space with original pieces of equipment including a set of reagents and other chemicals in bottles.
As usual the wonderful thing about visiting a museum like this in Lisbon is that you are very likely will be walking there on your own giving you plenty of time to submerge in the mystique of 19th century chemistry research.
(click on the images for full picture)
Lisbon’s Jardim Botânico is a small oasis and especially on warm days offers the perfect opportunity to get away from the heat and to enjoy the shade of this beautiful park. It is located in the Principe Real area (Rua da Escola Politécnica 58) and entry is only 1.50 euro.
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
