Orange Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Bairro das Caxias

Location

The Orange Tree Garden is situated in Elvas, in the Caxias Neighborhood, occupying a unique position within the moat of the city's 17th-century walls. This green space has an elongated shape, developing at a lower level than the surrounding urban fabric, and is adjoined to the eastern end of the old defensive structure. Its location gives it a distinctive and secluded atmosphere, like a refuge within the city.

Access to this garden is via pedestrian passages that connect it to the interior of the locality. One of the entrances is a postern, or small gate, located at the end of Rua de São Francisco, while a staircase allows descent from the viaduct that rises over a portion of the garden, uniquely integrating it into the urban landscape.

A Vibrant Orange Grove

The garden's identity is inseparable from its name, which stems from the significant presence of orange trees that fill it. These fruit trees are the central element of its aesthetic, lending a particular and characteristic atmosphere to the space. Walking along the paths, visitors can appreciate not only the orange trees, but also other shrubs and small trees that make up the local vegetation.

In this serene environment, sunlight radiates over a more open area at the garden's entrance, contrasting with the shadier and cooler areas found under the dense foliage of the orange groves. The landscape is enriched by landscaping design elements, such as boxwood hedges carefully shaped into geometric forms, adding a dimension of order and beauty to the natural setting.

Space for Socializing and Heritage

The Orange Tree Garden is a public leisure space with a history and recreational significance in Elvas. Used as a garden since its origin, it serves as a place for rest and gathering for the community. The space was the subject of a significant rehabilitation intervention that culminated in its reopening in July 2009, a milestone that revitalized its role in the city's life.

Currently, the garden continues to be a privileged place for outdoor socializing. Its natural conditions, in a green and fresh environment, make it ideal for moments of tranquility or for small leisure activities. It is an example of how Elvas's historic heritage, namely its walls, can house and inspire spaces for contemporary enjoyment.

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