The 7 Cidades Tunnel

A notable engineering work from the 20th century, it was built by deliberation of the executive committee of the General Board, with Eng. Francisco Xavier de Castro in charge of the project, with drilling work on the mountain beginning on October 1, 1930 and inaugurated on the 30th. December 1937 (in other publications on May 27, 1938).

The tunnel cuts straight through the mountain for 1,200 meters, ending in Mosteiros. It made it possible, for the first time, to control excess water and also provided an easy crossing (except for the claustrophobic) to the other side of the mountain. It was a brilliant and fantastic work, with human costs yet to be determined – oral tradition keeps the memory of victims in the herculean effort to pave the way, but this story still needs validation.

Today it is a privilege to be able to visit a historic place and this brilliant work.