Antonio introduced us to the “underground” of Lisbon yesterday. Below the PrÄ…co di Príncipe Real ( a square famous for the huge spreading cedat tree in its center with branches that are propped up by a fine wrought iron filigree and span over 100 feet) is evidence of the complex water system that delivers water throughout the city. Below is an image of the interior of just one of the many cisterns that collect water from inland and store it for the cities use. Like many coastal cities on a large body of water, fresh water was historically difficult to come by (think “Chicago). in the 18th and 19th century an amazingly intricate system of aqueducts and pipes were constructed to deliver the much-needed water throughout the city.

Interior of the Water Cistern underneath the Prąco di Príncipe Real