Goa Square Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém > Restelo

Location

The Praça de Goa Garden is located in the Restelo neighborhood, a planned residential area on the hillside rising from Belém. This quadrangular square, with one of its corners rounded, is situated in the parish of Belém, municipality of Lisbon, and is characterized by surroundings of one or two-story single-family homes, reflecting its original conception as a residential neighborhood. Its mid-slope position offers a unique perspective of the urbanization, with its quiet streets and residential atmosphere.

History and Urban Planning

Praça de Goa is an integral part of the ambitious Ajuda Hillside Urbanization Plan, a project dated 1947, but inaugurated in the early 1950s. This plan represented a modern vision of residential settlement, with the integration of essential facilities for the community. The design of the square, conceived by the architect-urban planner Faria da Costa, reflects the principles of the era, where functionality and the well-being of residents were a priority in urban space planning.

Architecture and Art

In this garden, the central element is a notable example of Portuguese architecture from the second half of the 20th century. The main building, designed by architect Carlos Rebelo de Andrade between 1954 and 1959, stands out for its adherence to the principles of the Modern Movement. Its functional and humanized design, with large windows and sun protection louvers, reveals care in adapting the building to the environment and natural light. The construction employed traditional Portuguese materials and techniques, such as the use of ceramics, which plays a special decorative role. The ceramist Jorge Barradas is the author of polychrome faience panels that adorn the staircases and dining areas, with figurative representations of children in playful and learning activities, adding an artistic and symbolic touch to the complex.

An Urban Space with Character

The Praça de Goa Garden offers an opportunity to observe an urban space that illustrates the evolution of architecture and planning in Lisbon over the last century. The way the main building integrates into the square, with its outdoor playgrounds, contributes to an environment that, although originally planned with a specific purpose, reveals itself as a place of interest due to its urban and architectural history. Its refined aesthetics and attention to detail, from solar orientation to the use of artistic elements, make this a place worth appreciating for its uniqueness in the context of Restelo.

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