The Aeminium cryptoporticus is located under the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro (MNMC), which was the ancient Episcopal Palace, standing in the "Alta de Coimbra" area. It was constructed in steed slope, creating an artificial platform between the existing yard of the Sé Velha and Sé Nova. The MNMC's western façade (where the loggia is located) overlaps the cryptoporticus façade, becoming quite prominent in the urban landscape of the city (v. Museu Machado de Castro CNS 17840). The archaeological works allowed identifying two different construction stages; the 1st stage - Augustus Principate, early 1st century - corresponds to the construction of the eastern gallery of the cryptoporticus upper floor. This gallery would only have a vaulted nave, with five passages that would open to a terrace to the west, where the forum was located. The 2nd stage - during Claudius reign, mid-1st century, the structure is enlarged, integrating the Augustan building. Its construction would have taken more than a decade and its abandonment may have begun in the late 4th century/early 5th century. Gradually, its upper galleries start to get filled with debris originated from the ruined forum, area in which the Episcopal Palace is built by the late 11th century/early 12th century. Evidence for the cryptoporticus abandonment lies in the traces of landslides that occurred during the 12th/13th and 15th/16th centuries, which damaged its western façade. The final cluttering of the monument would have occurred during the Episcopal Palace's renovation, in the 16th/17th century. The cryptoporticus is composed by a gallery system and vaulted rooms, arranged in two superimposed levels, interconnected by narrow passages, allowing movement inside of the structure. The pavements, currently cobbled, were originally made of dirt. Huge ashlars made of local limestone were used in its construction and the spaces between the walls were filled with landfill debris on its south/southeast side, strengthening and easing the construction in this area. Accessed by stairs in the northern side, the upper level is formed by a double gallery, connected by domed passages that expand to the north, east and south. Part of the main façade, the western branch is composed by a series of seven rectangular compartments (cellae), aligned and interconnected by domed passages, with small gaps to allow ventilation and illumination. A flight of stairs in the west side allowed access to the lower floor, composed by a gallery with seven cellae (taller and wider than the ones found in the upper floor), interconnected by narrow vaulted passages. This floor was partially destroyed by houses raised against this building. The galleries would function as cleaning areas and covered streets. In the southeast quadrant, a door is found, accessing a stair that allowed access to the cryptoporticus inner compartments. A pipeline system assured the drainage of rainwater and the Cloaca Máxima was found at the base of the structure. Built on the middle of the exterior façade, a fountain with a small square at the front would collect (and help to drain) a nearby watercourse.

Access through the Machado de Castro National Museum. Free visit, but guided tours can be booked at the Museum - see access conditions and ticket prices on the website of the Machado de Castro National Museum.

Entrance with admission ticket

Opening hours: Tuesdays 14.00 - 18.00 Wednesdays to Sundays 10.00 - 18.00 (Closed: Monday, January 1st, Easter (Sunday), May 1st, July 4th, December 24th and 25th)

Street View