Orange Grove Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Sítio do Barcal

Location

The Orange Grove Garden is nestled within the historic complex of the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, in Lisbon. Located in the area known as Sítio do Barcal, it offers an environment of tranquility, away from the city's hustle and bustle, inviting a calmer and more introspective discovery experience. Its presence within this ancestral property grants it a context of great historical and patrimonial value.

Origin and Reinterpretation

This contemporary garden space has its roots in an area that, in the past, served as the vegetable garden and orchard of the Fronteira Palace. In 2010, it underwent a landscape intervention that transformed it into an ornamental garden, respecting and incorporating the memory of its original use, where orange trees were prominent. Its design sought a harmonious integration with the palace's historical language, creating a bridge between the legacy of the past and a modern aesthetic approach.

Design and Water Features

The design of the Orange Grove Garden is distinguished by its meticulous and symmetrical geometry, inspired by the boxwood patterns of other terraces on the property. Water plays a central role, through a system of tanks and channels that function both as ornamental elements, visually enriching the space, and in their original irrigation function. These aquatic elements are clad with cobalt blue tiles, echoing the vibrant colors of the historic tilework present in the Palace's Gallery of Kings, establishing a visual dialogue between eras. In some of the tanks, small islands with orange trees evoke solutions found in Islamic-influenced gardens and cloisters, present in other Portuguese locales.

Atmosphere and Vegetation

The vegetation of the Orange Grove Garden naturally includes orange trees, which give the place its name and connect it to its history. In addition to these, other species such as cypresses and erythrinas have been introduced, contributing to a diversity of textures, colors, and shadows that change throughout the year. The atmosphere invites contemplation and relaxation, providing a serene refuge where modern landscape art intertwines with the richness of a cultural and natural heritage. The palace complex and its gardens, including the Orange Grove, are recognized as a National Monument, highlighting their importance in Portuguese heritage.

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