Amália Rodrigues Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > São Sebastião da Pedreira > Campo Pequeno

Location

The Amália Rodrigues Garden is located in one of Lisbon's elevated areas, in the Campo Pequeno district, within the locality of São Sebastião da Pedreira. Its position offers a wide perspective over the Avenida da Liberdade valley, extending the view to the waters of the Tagus River. This garden serves as a landscape transition, extending north of Eduardo VII Park and integrating into the green corridor that connects the city center to the Serra de Monsanto.

History and Homage

This green space, inaugurated in 1996, was originally known as "Alto do Parque" (Park Heights). In 2000, the garden was renamed in honor of Amália Rodrigues, one of the most emblematic figures of Portuguese culture and the immortal voice of fado. The choice of name reflects a tribute to the fado singer who profoundly marked the musical and artistic identity of the country.

Landscape Design

The landscape design project for the Amália Rodrigues Garden was authored by the renowned architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles. It is characterized by a design that explores the diversity of environments, taking advantage of the site's natural topography. Walking along its paths, one can observe the terrain modeling and the integration of elements such as a large open-air amphitheater, facing the city, and a circular lake that gives a serene atmosphere to the space. The materials used, such as Portuguese pavement and granite, blend harmoniously into the landscape.

Points of Interest and Art

Inside the garden, visitors will find elements that capture attention, such as a small circular stone viewpoint, which provides moments for contemplation. Two sculptures also stand out. One is "Maternity," a work by the renowned Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, dated 1999, which has become a landmark for those strolling through the area. Another sculpture present is "The Secret," by the Portuguese sculptor António Lagoa Henriques. It is important to note that none of these works directly represent the figure of Amália Rodrigues.

An Urban Refuge

With an area of approximately 6.2 hectares, the Amália Rodrigues Garden offers a refuge for those seeking moments of tranquility in the city. The trails invite relaxing walks among a variety of vegetation, which includes olive trees, stone pines, and palm trees, among other shrubs like rosemary. The lake is home to ducks, which sometimes provide amusing moments, contributing to the atmosphere of calm and contact with nature in the heart of Lisbon.

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