Mine Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Amadora > Alfragide > Zambujal

Location

The Jardim das Minas is located in Alfragide, a locality within the municipality of Amadora, integrated into the Zambujal urbanization. It is conveniently situated between Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra and Avenida General Humberto Delgado, at a point that historically gave its name to the entire surrounding parish, Freguesia da Mina de Água.

The Mine and its Essence

At the heart of this garden lies a grotto housing an ancient water mine, a crucial element in the history and development of the area. This mine was one of many that dotted the route of the historic Aqueduto Geral das Águas Livres, serving as an essential point for water capture.

Historically, access to the interior of the mine was gained through a gallery approximately two hundred meters long, which led its users to the vicinity of this grotto. The water from here was, by many, renowned for its particular quality.

A Historical and Urban Landmark

The history of Jardim das Minas and the surrounding area is intrinsically linked to the vision of Cardoso Lopes. It was in 1910 that he obtained the concession for this water and acquired the surrounding lands with the purpose of developing what would become the Bairro-Parque da Mina. Works for the mine's arrangement began in 1911, even though a broader project for the water installations, designed by architect Jesuíno Ganhado, was not fully realized.

In 1913, at a moment of great significance, upon the inauguration of the Bairro-Parque da Mina by the then President of the Republic, Manuel de Arriaga, a marble plaque was placed at the mine's entrance to commemorate the event. Today, a faithful reproduction of this original plaque can be observed. The site is recognized for its historical and patrimonial importance, being classified as a monument of municipal interest.

The Garden Environment

The Jardim das Minas offers a space of tranquility in the urban landscape, where history and a landscaped environment converge. It is a place that invites contemplation, allowing visitors to closely observe the mine's grotto and the commemorative plaque that marks its importance.

One can stroll through its avenues and feel the atmosphere surrounding this historical point, enjoying a moment of tranquility in a setting that evokes the history of water supply in the region.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt