Barbadinhos Steam Pumping Station

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santa Engrácia

Location

The Barbadinhos Steam Pumping Station is located in Lisbon, in the Santa Engrácia area, which is part of the São Vicente parish. This historic building is situated in a consolidated urban area, standing out for its architecture and significance. Its position was strategically important, as it was located near the end point of the Alviela Aqueduct, through which water reached the city.

The Engineering of Water Supply

Inaugurated in 1880, this station played a vital role in supplying water to the city of Lisbon. Its primary function was to pump water from the Alviela River, which traveled through an aqueduct over a hundred kilometers long, to other reservoirs in the capital, such as the Verónica Reservoir and the Monte Cistern. For almost five decades, until 1928, the continuous operation of these facilities was fundamental for the expansion of the water distribution network in Lisbon homes, significantly improving the quality of life of the population. Interestingly, the station was built on land that once belonged to a Franciscan convent.

Steam Industrial Legacy

What makes this place particularly fascinating is the preservation of its original equipment. Inside the Engine House, a structure about 20 meters high, the four impressive steam engines can be observed. Manufactured in Rouen, France, these machines, which operated without interruption during their period of activity, are a remarkable testament to 19th-century industrial archaeology and engineering. The steam that powered them was generated by five large boilers, whose piping and coal bunkers can still be seen, offering an authentic perspective on the technology of the era.

A Window into the History of Water

Currently, the Barbadinhos Pumping Station is part of the Water Museum, serving as one of its central hubs. Within this space, a permanent exhibition invites visitors on a journey through the history of water supply in Lisbon, exploring the technological, scientific, and cultural dimensions of this essential resource. The site also serves as a venue for various cultural activities and temporary exhibitions, enriching the visitor's experience. Recognizing its historical and heritage value, the pumping station complex has been classified as a Public Interest Site since 2010.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt