Empire Square Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém

Location

Situated in the historic area of Belém, in Lisbon, the Jardim da Praça do Império (Empire Square Garden) holds a prominent location directly in front of the imposing Jerónimos Monastery. It is a vast and open space that serves as a kind of green antechamber to some of the city's most visited monuments. Its area extends between Avenida da Índia and Rua de Belém, occupying a central position in the Belém landscape.

A Garden with History

The Jardim da Praça do Império has its roots in a significant event: the Portuguese World Exhibition, held in 1940. It was for this commemorative event that the garden was conceived and created, transforming an area formerly known as praia do Restelo (Restelo beach) into a grand and formal landscaped space. Its very existence and layout are linked to the ambition and themes of that historical exhibition, which aimed to celebrate and showcase Portuguese history and culture, particularly the Age of Discoveries.

The Coats of Arms in Pavement

One of the garden's most distinctive and symbolically charged features is the representation of coats of arms on its paving. These coats of arms, which in the past were created using floral and vegetal arrangements, are now presented in Portuguese pavement (calçada à portuguesa). There are about thirty coats of arms representing the districts of mainland Portugal, the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, and the overseas territories associated with Portugal's history. There are also other important symbols, such as the national shield and the crosses of the Orders of Christ and Aviz, all integrated into the garden's ground. This visual ensemble functions almost as a historical and geographical map drawn within the space itself.

Formal Design and Water Features

The design of the Jardim da Praça do Império is notably formal and geometric, with rigorous lines that align with the grandeur of the surrounding buildings. At the center of the garden stands an imposing Luminous Fountain, whose water jets become a focal point, visible from various points in the square and an element that contributes to the scenic atmosphere, especially when illuminated. Complementing this design are reflecting pools that add an element of serenity and contemplation to the garden's manicured environment. The entire ensemble contributes to an atmosphere of solemnity and spaciousness.

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