Do you know why this square is called Praca de Nove de Abril? It’s a fitting name for this place that was once a bustling center of life and a crucial source of water for Porto. Before the city was connected to water networks, the people of Porto relied on natural springs for their water needs. The most important spring was located right here, in what we now call the Jardim Arca d’Água in the heart of Praca de Nove de Abril. This spring was known as Arca das Três Fontes because there were three springs where the water flowed. You can still see the remnants of the water system beneath this square. For centuries, this spring provided clean, refreshing water to the thirsty people of Porto. It was the main source that sustained many of the city’s fountains and water sources. But as the city grew and the population increased, the once-abundant spring couldn’t meet the city’s demands. So, they looked to the Rio Sousa to find a new source of water. The construction of a new water system that would connect to the Rio Sousa was completed around 1607, eventually replacing the spring system. The Jardim Arca d’Água was created in 1928 and the spring was mostly forgotten. Yet, the name Praca de Nove de Abril has stayed with this square, and to many locals, it’s still known as Arca d’Água, reminding us of a time when life in Porto was built around this precious natural resource.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to