garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Vila Franca de Xira > Vila Franca de Xira > Povos

Location

The Constantino Palha Municipal Garden is strategically located in the city of Vila Franca de Xira, extending along the bank of the Tagus River for an appreciable stretch of about four hundred meters. Positioned on the riverfront and close to the train station, it offers visitors a privileged perspective of the estuary's vastness and the surrounding floodplain.

A Legacy of Portuguese Landscape Design

Considered one of the city's most distinctive gardens, this green space bears the signature of Professor Francisco Caldeira Cabral, who designed it in 1954, marking one of the first major projects of modern landscape architecture in Portugal. Its original layout successfully enhanced the presence of the Tagus, creating a harmonious unity between the urban environment and the riverside landscape. A restoration intervention, carried out in 2011, returned the garden to its former splendor, while maintaining the integrity of the initial project.

Along the pathways, visitors can find plaques that reproduce Francisco Caldeira Cabral's postulates. These statements invite reflection on the philosophy and principles that guided the creation of this and other green spaces, offering a cultural and educational dimension to the experience of those exploring the garden.

Historical and Natural Elements

The garden is punctuated by elements that enhance its charisma and history. A 19th-century bandstand stands out, an octagonal structure that evokes the tradition of public promenades and serves as the garden's central point. Around it, uniquely designed lakes and flowerbeds highlight the beauty of the space. The tree cover is one of its strong points, with plane trees, ash trees, and mulberry trees offering abundant shade and an inviting atmosphere for relaxation.

In its extension, the garden incorporates an area that references the vernacular architecture of the avieiro neighborhood, a tribute to the local fishing tradition. Additionally, an imposing spiral-shaped aviary houses various bird species, providing a point of interest for nature lovers. For the younger visitors, a playground offers a safe and fun space, complementing the recreational offerings of the Constantino Palha Garden.

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