Garajau Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Madeira > Santa Cruz > Caniço > Livramento

Location

Located in the Livramento area, in the town of Caniço, part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, the Garajau Garden occupies a unique area on the left bank of the Ribeiro da Abegoaria stream. This space was once a sand quarry, and an imposing sand wall, a striking element of the local landscape, remains from that memory. Its position offers a glimpse into the urban and natural surroundings.

Accessible on foot, the garden was planned to allow exploration without architectural barriers, making it inviting to all visitors.

The Transformation of a Landscape

The Garajau Garden represents a remarkable example of the reconversion of an industrial site, opened to the public in phases starting from 2019. Its conception was based on the concept of Post-industrial Landscape, integrating the history of the site into its current aesthetic. The old excavation wall, a remnant of the sand quarry, was transformed into a geological monument.

An elevated walkway, halfway up, runs alongside a large part of this wall, offering visitors a unique perspective over the garden and panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding areas. This approach allows for an interesting fusion between the geological legacy and the new life of the space.

Botanical Diversity

Although the vegetation is relatively young, the garden already hosts considerable biodiversity, designed to develop and attract avifauna and beneficial insects. The plant selection aimed at the bioclimatic comfort of its users, with species that adapt well to the sometimes windy conditions.

Among the flora present, subtropical trees with vibrant flowers stand out, such as cockspur coral trees and flame trees. There are also specimens with lush canopies, such as the camphor tree or the southern magnolia. The garden also displays species with a sculptural form, such as ponytail palms, cabbage trees, and the iconic dragon trees. There is an area dedicated to low-altitude indigenous flora, with plants like the Barbusano, the faya tree, or the wild olive tree. A colorful collection of bromeliads and a rock garden complement this botanical richness.

Leisure and Social Areas

The Garajau Garden offers various areas designed for exercise and relaxation. Its main core features equipment that stimulates motor skills, balance, and physical dexterity, with options for younger visitors, including a climbing pyramid and slides integrated into the slope.

For outdoor exercise, the garden includes a petanque court, a circuit of mounds, and an outdoor gym area. A circular amphitheater provides a venue for educational or cultural events, also serving as an informal meeting point for rest or reading. Spacious grassy clearings invite a variety of activities, both passive and active, and the tree cover, as it grows, will provide shade on hotter days. Restroom facilities are available for visitors.

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