Maria José Moura Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

The Maria José Moura Garden is located in the city of Lisbon, integrated into the space of the historic Galveias Palace, in the Avenidas Novas parish. It is a walled public garden, bordered to the north by the palace itself and to the south by Rua Barbosa du Bocage. Its central position within the Lisbon urban fabric makes it an easily accessible point for those exploring the city.

A Name with Cultural History

This garden was named in August 2019, in homage to Maria José Moura, a prominent figure in Portuguese culture. The space where it is situated has a rich history: the Galveias Palace was, in the 17th century, a country house belonging to the Távora family, having undergone significant transformations over the centuries. Confiscated in 1759, after the Távora affair, and subsequently acquired by various figures, the Palace was bought by the Lisbon City Council in 1928, which established the main Municipal Library there, giving the place a new public and cultural life.

Sculptural and Tile Heritage

In the Maria José Moura Garden, visitors can appreciate several artistic pieces. Noteworthy are eight double busts, arranged on pedestals, which evoke the early phase of the Palace. One of the most striking elements is the tile panel, which adorns the south wall of the garden. This mural features the effigies of Portuguese kings, from D. Afonso Henriques to D. João VI, with the date 1799 inscribed under the name of the latter, indicating its creation period. The composition does not include the monarchs from the period of Spanish rule. In addition to these, the garden hosts the sculpture "Nunca mais olhaste o céu" (You never looked at the sky again), a work by Carlos Nogueira dated 1997.

Environment and Characterization

With its quadrangular shape, the Maria José Moura Garden offers a tranquil and inviting environment. The space includes a central lawn area, bordered by scattered benches that invite rest and contemplation. The walled nature of the garden contributes to a sense of seclusion and serenity, providing a pleasant break and a refuge from the city's pace.

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