Located north of the Coach Museum (one of the most visited museums in Lisbon) in the Belem district, the Ajuda Botanical Garden enjoys the reputation of being the oldest botanical garden in Portugal. It was originally founded as part of the domain of the Ajuda National Palace, by title of Royal Botanical Garden. The construction works started in the mid 18th century, more exactly, in 1755, but the official date of the inauguration remains 1768.

Initially, the floral asset of the garden amounted to some 5,000 species, but the patrimony was heavily damaged in 1808, during the Napoleonic invasion, when the Frenchmen deprived the venue from some 1,500 species, which they took to Paris on their way back to France. The garden stretches on a surface of some 3.5 hectares, and is home to rare species and impressive specimens.

Thus, for instance, the garden shelters a 400 years old tree (of the Dracaena draco species), colorful flowerbeds and, apart from the floral asset, there’s also a magnificent 18th century Baroque fountain lushly decorated with marine motifs: mythical sea monsters, fish, seahorses and serpents. The fact the garden offers views to the Tagus River, to the 25 de Abril Bridge and while facing from a distance the National Sanctuary of Christ the King in the neighboring Almada, as well as the fact peacocks stroll around in the garden without fear from the human presence, all these add to the typical charm of the place.

All sorts of events and festivals are organized in the Ajuda Botanical Garden, and also of note is the fact the garden accommodates the headquarters of the so-called Associacao Portuguesa de Orquideofilia and the headquarters of Grupo de Teatro Infantil AnimArte (AnimArte Children’s Theater Group).

Name:
Ajuda Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico d’Ajuda)
Address:
Calcada da Ajuda, Lisbon, Portugal
Telephone:
00351 213 622503 / 00351 213 653137
Email:
botanicoajuda@isa.utl.pt
Website:
www.jardimbotanicodajuda.com
Go to top