The three springs in the Paranhos area exist on a geological scale. On the human scale, the oldest existing records of the use of their waters by the population date back to 1120, and these springs are mentioned in the donation of Couto do Porto to Bishop Hugo by Theresa, Countess of Portugal. It wasn't until 1928 that the Jardim de Arca d'Água was installed there — along the way, a duel between Antero de Quental and Ramalho Ortigão took place near the springs in 1866. For the flowing waters that gave this part of the city its name, all this happened in the blink of an eye.

This is where the oldest section (1607) of the city's underground water supply network begins. Connecting Jardim de Arca d'Água to Praça dos Leões, it runs for around 3.5 kilometres from the north to the south ends of Porto, supplying dozens of fountains above it at street level along the way. Although it used to be possible to take part in guided tours of these tunnels, they have not taken place since around 2020, as much of the route is now inaccessible. 

Originally built as a way of guaranteeing public health by providing access to drinking water in public fountains, these waters are now inaccessible and unused, retaining only the charm of a few galleries that continue to arouse the curiosity of those who know where they are hidden.