Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Site (Lisbon, NL)
The Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Site in Lisbon presents over 2,500 years of urban history, preserved underground in the city’s Baixa district.
The Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Site, located in the historic heart of Lisbon’s Baixa district, is one of the city’s most fascinating hidden treasures. Discovered during renovation works in the late 20th century, this site reveals more than 2,500 years of Lisbon’s continuous urban history beneath one of its busiest streets.
Today, the site is preserved and managed by the Millennium bcp Foundation and offers visitors a unique journey through layers of time. Excavations uncovered remains from different periods, including traces of Phoenician settlements, Roman fish-salting tanks, medieval walls, Renaissance structures and artefacts from Lisbon’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake.
Visitors can walk through the underground remains along carefully designed walkways that protect the delicate ruins while allowing a close look at ancient walls, wells, storage pits and everyday objects that tell the story of how Lisbon has evolved over centuries. The guided tours and multimedia resources help bring to life the people who lived and worked in this area from ancient times to the present day.
The Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Site is not only an archaeological treasure but also an outstanding example of how urban heritage can be protected and shared within a modern city. By opening this site to the public, the project highlights the importance of safeguarding hidden layers of history that lie beneath our feet.
As a candidate for the European Museum Academy’s DASA Award, the Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Site demonstrates how archaeology can foster connections between citizens and their city’s history. The site highlights the role of preservation in integrating heritage into contemporary urban life, offering visitors the opportunity to explore Lisbon’s past through its streets and underground spaces.