Mãe d'Água Reservoir

The Aqueduto das Águas Livres ends at the Mãe d'Água (Mother of Water), a large stone building that looms behind the Socialist Party headquarters on Largo do Rato. Construction began in 1745 and work carried on until 1834. Inside, the central tank has a capacity of 5,500 cubic metres, and the cool stone interior has the feel of an eerie grotto. Arriving water tumbles into the central pool over an ever-growing mound of scale. The walkways around the tank and a floating platform are used for art exhibitions. Visitors can climb the stairs to peer down the aqueduct passage.