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1st - 4th / 5th century AD
Cryptoporticus of the port baths
A cryptoporticus (stone domed structure) that - considering the remains found on location, the architectural characteristics and the techniques and materials used - served to support the baths. Discoveries include architectural elements, moulded and painted plaster, wooden and glass trays, ceramic tiles, in addition to common and fine ware and amphora, from the High Imperial Roman Period and Late Antiquity. Archaeological research concluded that water infiltrated the subterranean galleries shortly after its construction in the 1st century AD, through a still visible crack.
The structure was discovered inundated by water, during the pombaline reconstruction following the earthquake of 1755. During the 18th and 19th centuries, surveys and descriptions led to different historic interpretations, but only in the late 20th century did archaeological interventions begin, in particular with the Project to Study and Value the Roman Cryptoporticus of Lisbon (a municipal plurennial archaeological research program).
The structure was discovered inundated by water, during the pombaline reconstruction following the earthquake of 1755. During the 18th and 19th centuries, surveys and descriptions led to different historic interpretations, but only in the late 20th century did archaeological interventions begin, in particular with the Project to Study and Value the Roman Cryptoporticus of Lisbon (a municipal plurennial archaeological research program).
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Aspect of visitable area of cryptoportico‘s interior, with view of gallery accessible from Rua da Conceição. © CML | DMC | DPC
General layout of vaulted complex, with the structural evidence identified so far. © Forma Urbis LAB | Pedro Vasco Martins 2018
Pavement with in situ marble slabs, located at the top of the cryptoportico, discovered under the building on Rua da Conceição, 73-77. © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Ana Caessa, Cristina Nozes and Nuno Mota 2015
Cryptoportico‘s limiting wall, built combining opus quadratum and opus caementicium (Rua da Prata, 45-51). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Ana Caessa, Cristina Nozes and Nuno Mota 2016
Remains of the hypocaust (hot water area in the baths) located above the cryptoporticus, discovered under the building on Rua de São Julião, 78-84. © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota e Ana Caessa 2018
Fragment of a wooden window frame (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of window pane (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of jagged later, characteristic of bathing structures (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of jagged later, characteristic of bathing structures (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of jagged later, characteristic of bathing structures (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of jagged later, characteristic of bathing structures (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of plaster with red painting, representing an isodomic wall, perhaps illustrating an urban landscape (Rua da Prata, 45-51). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of a cornice of white marble with grey veins (Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106). © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Nuno Mota 2018
Fragment of Corinthian capital exhumed during archaeological excavation in building on Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-106. © CML | DMC | DPC | CAL | Ana Caessa and Nuno Mota 2016
3D-Model with reconstitution of cryptoporticus and building that lay above it.
Typology
Cryptoporticus, Baths, Epigraphs, City | Urbs
Archeological interventions
1995-1996; 2015; 2015-2016; 2018; 2019; 2020
Suggested reading
Caessa, A.; Mota, N.; Nozes, C. (2016) - Novas descobertas no criptopórtico romano de Lisboa - Rua da Conceição, 75-77 (Santa Maria Maior) - 1ª Fase. Almadan. Almada: Centro de Arqueologia de Almada. IIª série. 20, pp. 220-221.
Encarnação, J. (1973) - Criptopórtico romano no subsolo de Lisboa. Jornal da Costa do Sol (Cascais, 01-09-1973). 489, pp. 4 e 6.
Fabião, C. (1994) - O monumento romano da Rua da Prata. Lisboa Subterrânea. Lisboa: Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, pp. 67-69.
Maciel, J. (1993-1994) - A propósito das chamadas conservas de água da Rua da Prata. Conimbriga. Coimbra: Instituto de Arqueologia da Universidade de Coimbra. 32-33, pp. 145-156.
Moita, I. (1977) - As termas romanas da Rua da Prata em Lisboa. Lisboa: Publicações Culturais da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa.
Mota, N.; Martins, P. V. (2018) - Criptopórtico romano de Lisboa: arqueologia e arquitetura de uma estrutura portuária (um esboço preliminar). In Senna-Martinez, J. C.; Martins, A. C.; Caessa, A.; Marques, A.; Cameira, I., eds. - Meios, Vias e Trajetos... Entrar e sair de Lisboa (Fragmentos de Arqueologia de Lisboa; 2). Lisboa: Centro de Arqueologia de Lisboa e Secção de Arqueologia da Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa, pp. 85-108.
Ribeiro, J. C. (1994) - Breve nota acerca do criptopórtico de Olisipo e da possível localização do fórum corporativo. Bracara Augusta. Encontro de Arqueologia Urbana, Braga, 1994. Revista Cultural da Câmara Municipal de Braga. Braga. XLV: 96 (110), pp. 191-200.
Encarnação, J. (1973) - Criptopórtico romano no subsolo de Lisboa. Jornal da Costa do Sol (Cascais, 01-09-1973). 489, pp. 4 e 6.
Fabião, C. (1994) - O monumento romano da Rua da Prata. Lisboa Subterrânea. Lisboa: Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, pp. 67-69.
Maciel, J. (1993-1994) - A propósito das chamadas conservas de água da Rua da Prata. Conimbriga. Coimbra: Instituto de Arqueologia da Universidade de Coimbra. 32-33, pp. 145-156.
Moita, I. (1977) - As termas romanas da Rua da Prata em Lisboa. Lisboa: Publicações Culturais da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa.
Mota, N.; Martins, P. V. (2018) - Criptopórtico romano de Lisboa: arqueologia e arquitetura de uma estrutura portuária (um esboço preliminar). In Senna-Martinez, J. C.; Martins, A. C.; Caessa, A.; Marques, A.; Cameira, I., eds. - Meios, Vias e Trajetos... Entrar e sair de Lisboa (Fragmentos de Arqueologia de Lisboa; 2). Lisboa: Centro de Arqueologia de Lisboa e Secção de Arqueologia da Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa, pp. 85-108.
Ribeiro, J. C. (1994) - Breve nota acerca do criptopórtico de Olisipo e da possível localização do fórum corporativo. Bracara Augusta. Encontro de Arqueologia Urbana, Braga, 1994. Revista Cultural da Câmara Municipal de Braga. Braga. XLV: 96 (110), pp. 191-200.
Address
Rua da Prata, 45-51 / Rua de São Julião, 86-92, Lisboa
Identification code
LxR1106011
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