Category: Nature > Garden
District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Lagoal
The Gardens of the Royal Quinta of Caxias, a name that evokes its historical connection to the Caxias area, are located in the town of Lagoal, in the municipality of Oeiras, within the district of Lisbon. This privileged location offers an environment that combines the serenity of a vast historic garden space with its proximity to the coastal area.
Easily accessible, this remarkable heritage complex invites visitors to enjoy a setting that reflects the splendor of past eras, providing an atmosphere of tranquility and an invitation to outdoor leisure for those who visit.
The Gardens of the Royal Quinta of Caxias represent a remarkable example of the pleasure estates that marked the Portuguese 18th century. Its construction, initiated by Infante D. Francisco of Bragança, brother of D. John V, extended over several decades, shaping a leisure space for the court.
Subsequently, these gardens served as a retreat for royal figures such as Queen D. Maria I and D. Luís, consolidating their role in the country's monarchical history. Their historical and architectural value was recognized with the classification of Property of Public Interest in 1953.
The garden design reflects the influence of French landscape art, particularly the grand models of Versailles. It is characterized by a meticulous geometric structure, where carefully shaped boxwood parterres and the presence of small lakes punctuate the pathways stand out.
Palm trees and araucarias contribute to the beauty of the ensemble, which evokes the aesthetics and splendor of the Baroque period, with a notable use of water as a decorative element. In addition to the garden spaces, the complex includes galleries and rooms with decorative painting, as well as the Royal Palace.
One of the most notable and emblematic elements of these gardens is the Monumental Waterfall, a work of great architectural and sculptural value. This impressive structure is enhanced by sculptural groups designed by Machado de Castro, one of the most prominent Portuguese sculptors of his time.
The sculptures illustrate the mythological scene of Diana and Actaeon, in a setting where water features emanate from the statues, lending dynamism and vitality to the composition. This grand waterfall, when in full operation, cascades its waters into the lake, creating a captivating visual spectacle.
The Gardens of the Royal Quinta of Caxias invite pleasant and tranquil walks, revealing their historical and landscape richness at every step. It is a space that allows for the appreciation of the harmony between nature and art, in an environment that reflects the sophisticated social life of the 18th century.
The dedication to the preservation of this heritage was recognized, with the recovery of the gardens, carried out by the Municipality of Oeiras, receiving a European Award for the Recovery of Historic Gardens, attesting to the quality of the conservation and valorization work of this unique location.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.69990553257461, -9.274771015912254
Coordinates DMS: 38°41'59.7"N 09°16'29.2"W
On-duty Pharmacy Lagoal
