Garden of the Tile Estate

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Carnide

Location

The Azulejo Quinta Garden is located in the heart of the Carnide parish, in Lisbon. This location is set within the ancient nucleus of Paço do Lumiar, an area that preserves the atmosphere and layout of old country estates and recreational palaces. Although surrounded by an urban area, the garden maintains a secluded and tranquil character, inviting a calm stroll and an attentive discovery of its details.

A Historic Legacy

The garden's history dates back to the mid-18th century, around 1745, when it was initiated by António Colaço Torres. Born as a recreational and production estate, it quickly gained notoriety, even receiving visits from the Portuguese royal family. Over the centuries, the property changed hands multiple times, facing periods of abandonment and recovery, until, in 1935, the establishment of the Manuel Bernardes College allowed for the safeguarding and appreciation of its notable collection of azulejos. This garden is today a property classified as an Immovable of Public Interest, a testament to a golden age.

The Art and Aesthetics of Azulejo

What most distinguishes this garden is, undoubtedly, its exceptional and abundant azulejo work. Walls, benches, and decorative elements are almost entirely covered with ceramic panels, many of which were produced at the renowned Royal Pottery Factory of Rato, between 1745 and 1755. The azulejos, with their distinctly Rococo style, are an authentic open-air art book, blending the elegance of form with the vibrancy of colors, predominantly blue and white, but also with polychrome accents.

Scenes and Narratives in Ceramics

Strolling through the Azulejo Quinta Garden is like embarking on a visual journey through the diverse narratives that the azulejos tell. Here you will find representations of biblical scenes, episodes from classical mythology with figures such as Perseus and Andromeda, or the Pleiades nymphs, Echo and Narcissus. There is also a rich tapestry of gallant, rural, and everyday scenes, revealing the customs and life of 18th-century society. One of the most surprising elements is the wing with panels of animals painted with great accuracy, which include exotic specimens and even the representation of a dodo, an extinct species, a detail that captivates with its historical and artistic singularity.

A Stroll Through Singular Elements

The garden's layout, with its quadrangular plan, invites exploration of its various axes and corners. The entrance, through an iron gate, is preceded by a tunnel of wisteria and octagonal columns, all richly azulejo-adorned. Inside, one can discover a small stone pond, surrounded by a curved bench that invites rest, completely lined with ceramics, and a fountain with inlaid stone work. The paths, adorned with boxwood and rose flowerbeds, among other plants, lead visitors through columns and arcades that also exhibit the beauty and complexity of azulejo work, making each step an opportunity to appreciate the harmony between nature and art.

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