Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Paço do Lumiar

Location

The Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park is located in the Paço do Lumiar area, in the city of Lisbon. This extensive green space envelops the old Monteiro-Mor Palace, establishing a natural connection between historical architecture and the botanical landscape. Its location allows it to be a green lung integrated into the urban fabric, offering a tranquil contrast to the dynamism of the surrounding city.

Historical Roots of a Century-Old Garden

The origin of this park dates back to the 18th century, when it was commissioned by the 3rd Marquis of Angeja in the area of his Quinta do Monteiro-Mor. The initial design was guided by the Italian botanist Domenico Vandelli. In the 19th century, after the estate was acquired by the 1st Duke of Palmela, the garden underwent significant improvements, with the introduction of new rare plant species and the addition of decorative elements such as statuary. The layout of some of its areas was influenced by the English garden style, then in vogue, with contributions from botanists such as Jacob Weist and Friedrich Welwitsch. Despite suffering the impacts of a cyclone in 1941, the park remained under the possession of the Palmela family until the mid-1970s, when it passed to the administration of the Portuguese State and underwent restoration work.

Botanical Diversity and Natural Elements

The Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park extends over eleven hectares, a considerable part of which is dedicated to the botanical garden and forested areas. It is notable for its vast collection of ancient trees, including specimens of genera such as Araucaria, Sequoia, Cupressus, Acacia, and Podocarpus. Among these, an imposing Araucaria stands out, considered one of the oldest specimens of this species planted in continental Europe, and a century-old Sequoia of great height. The park also features a boxwood garden with a rose garden, in addition to flower beds with various species such as lilies, daisies, and hydrangeas. Its exuberant vegetation benefits from a particular microclimate. This environment is complemented by a water system that includes underground galleries and a stream that flows through the park, alternating between visible sections and hidden channels, culminating in artificial lakes.

A Space of Serenity and Inspiration

This historic garden has been recognized as a _Property of Public Interest_ since 1978, highlighting its patrimonial and ecological value in the city. The park's atmosphere, with its lushness and diversity of species, offers a natural refuge, inviting tranquility and the observation of flora and fauna, including various bird species. The beauty and serenity of this space were even a source of inspiration for literature, having been the setting described in Almeida Garrett's poem "No Lumiar", which is part of the collection _Folhas Caídas_. The park still preserves the structure of the old 18th-century recreational estates, with its meadows, groves, and kitchen garden areas, which contribute to its unique and inviting atmosphere.

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