Marquês de Marialva Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

Located in Lisbon, in the Areeiro area, Jardim Marquês de Marialva is strategically situated around the Campo Pequeno Bullring, a well-known landmark in the city. This position, although in a busy urban area, allows the garden to offer an oasis of calm, being an integral part of the surrounding landscape of this emblematic square.

A Green Lung in the Heart of the City

Since the early 20th century, Jardim Marquês de Marialva has offered a space of serenity in Lisbon's dynamic environment. With a generous area of about 18,000 square meters, this garden stands out for its numerous leafy trees, which provide an inviting shade, especially appreciated on warmer days. It is a place designed for rest, a quiet stroll, or physical exercise, functioning as a true green refuge in the heart of the city.

Design and Distinct Environments

The garden was designed with a balanced layout, divided into four distinct spaces surrounding the Bullring. Adjacent to Avenida da República, two of its corners display a more geometric and symmetrical design, lending it a classical aesthetic. The other two sides, facing north, offer different functionalities: one features a modern playground, with equipment designed for children; the other has a tennis court. Paths and wide paved areas connect these different spaces, inviting exploration.

Equestrian Heritage and Historical Name

The garden's name is a tribute to the 4th Marquis of Marialva, Pedro José de Alcântara de Menezes Noronha Coutinho, a prominent figure in 18th-century Portugal. Known as the "master of the horse" (estribeiro-mor) of the Royal Stud Farm of Alter do Chão, this Marquis was the mentor of a distinguished system of horsemanship that would come to be known as the "art of Marialva". His dedication to perfecting Portuguese equestrian art, particularly through the Picaria Real, made him one of the greatest horsemen of his time and a precursor of the current Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. The garden, therefore, carries the legacy of an important aspect of national equestrian culture and history.

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