Mário Soares Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Alvalade > Campo Grande

Location:

Located in Lisbon, in the parish of Alvalade, extending through the area that gives it its original name, Campo Grande. This green space is situated in a central area of the city, flanked by important thoroughfares, and its elongated shape follows the geography of the site, nestled in the valley where the Ribeira do Lumiar once flowed.

The garden is traversed by Avenida do Brasil, which divides it into two large sections, one to the north and one to the south. Together, they constitute one of the largest green lungs in central Lisbon, offering a transition for those moving between different parts of the city.

A Long History and Evolution

The history of the place now known as Jardim Mário Soares dates back centuries. Initially, this area was a vast open field, used for various activities over time, including military events and popular fairs, such as the famous Feira das Nozes (Walnut Fair).

The transformation into a public leisure space began to take shape from the 19th century, with the planting of the first avenues and the creation of a promenade. Over the following decades and the 20th century, the garden was subjected to successive projects and landscaping interventions, which shaped its current appearance and diversity, being renamed in 2018.

Landscape Design and Visual Elements

Jardim Mário Soares features a design that evokes a romantic style in some of its areas. It is characterized by an organization that combines more defined layout zones, particularly noticeable in the presence of palm-lined avenues, with areas of more organic design, where paths wind through flowerbeds and vegetation.

One of the prominent scenic elements is its main lake, which lends an atmosphere of tranquility to the environment. Scattered throughout the garden are various sculptures and busts paying homage to prominent figures of Portuguese culture, adding artistic interest to the stroll.

Natural Diversity

This garden is a biodiversity refuge in the middle of the city. Its area hosts a wide variety of botanical species, including centenary specimens and some less common varieties in urban spaces, such as paper mulberry, various linden trees, eucalyptus, jacarandas, and Canary Island date palms.

The richness of the flora also attracts various bird species, which find a place in the garden to nest and feed. Those who walk with attention can observe several of these species, enriching the experience of contact with nature.

Leisure and Memory Space

For a long time, Jardim Mário Soares has been a landmark for Lisbon residents, functioning as a place for meeting, leisure, and rest for different generations. Its extensive paths invite long walks, exercise, or simply enjoying a moment of outdoor relaxation.

The garden's connection to the city's cultural life is underscored, for example, by its mention in the famous "Fado do Campo Grande," which evokes this space as an integral part of Lisbon's identity. The garden continues to be a stage for the daily and cultural life of the Alvalade locality and the city of Lisbon.

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