Parada Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Campo de Ourique

Location

Nestled in the heart of the Campo de Ourique district in Lisbon, Jardim da Parada is a central green space that occupies an entire city block, easily accessible and contributing to the identity of this Lisbon area. It is bordered by Rua de Infantaria 16 to the north, Rua Tomás da Anunciação to the west, Rua Almeida e Sousa to the south, and Rua de 4 de Infantaria to the east, constituting an undeniable landmark in the local urban fabric.

Origin of the Name and History

Officially named Jardim Teófilo Braga, in homage to the second President of the Portuguese Republic, this space is commonly known among Lisboans as Jardim da Parada. This popular name refers to its past, when the site served as a military parade ground for a nearby barracks, a memory that endures in the daily life of the neighborhood. The garden has undergone interventions over time, remaining a vital point for the community and visitors.

Elements of Discovery

The garden offers a diversity of elements that invite visitors to stay and enjoy. In the center, a bandstand stands out, a traditional meeting point that evokes a Lisbon of yesteryear. Next to it, a small lake with ducks, fish, and turtles provides a serene environment and an attraction for those who visit. For the youngest, there is a children's play area. The garden also houses a statue of Maria da Fonte, a work by Costa Motta from 1920, and a memorial dedicated to Professor António Augusto Ferreira de Macedo, honored by his students and friends.

The Portuguese pavement, with its zigzag designs, winds through the garden, creating its own aesthetic, harmonious with the vegetation. On one of the surrounding walkways, it is possible to find a peculiar reading booth, installed in an old telephone booth, inviting a moment of pause and culture.

Natural Heritage

The natural richness of Jardim da Parada is remarkable, with varied flora that contributes to its particular atmosphere. Trees such as the hackberry, which frames much of the garden, the bald cypress, the redwood, the Canary Island date palm, the silver lime, the grevillea, the horse-chestnut, and several ginkgo can be observed. Four of these trees are classified as being of Public Interest: a majestic Sequoia sempervirens, an example of Taxodium distichum, and two Metrosideros excelsa, popularly known as 'fire trees', for their vibrant-toned flowers.

The garden's fauna includes common birds such as the mallard in the lake, the blackbird, the house sparrow, and the rock dove, which inhabit this green space in the heart of the city.

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