Vila do Conde Memory Center Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Porto > Vila do Conde > Vila do Conde > Centro Histórico

Location

The Garden of the Memory Center is situated in the heart of the Historic Center of Vila do Conde, providing easy access for those exploring this area of the town. Its vast area, which extends over approximately seven thousand square meters, integrates harmoniously into the urban fabric, offering a haven of tranquility and green spaces in the center of the town.

History and Inspiration

This garden was designed on the former agricultural land of the historic Solar de São Sebastião. Inaugurated in 2008, the landscaping project revisited the site's rural heritage, maintaining original features such as terraces supported by robust granite walls. Its contemporary landscape architecture reinterprets the traditional agricultural use, incorporating elements like pathways and pergolas, creating a bridge between the past and the present of the space.

Scenic and Architectural Elements

As you walk through the garden, you can discover several elements that enrich its beauty and narrative. The paths are often punctuated by granite slabs that blend with the grass, inviting a serene stroll. In the upper part, an ingenious water management system, composed of channels, tanks, fountains, and gutters, runs across the surface, not only beautifying the garden with its murmur but also evoking the memory of the former property's functionality.

Flora and Natural Environment

The plant component was designed to provide an environment of freshness and shade, with extensive lawns punctuated by clusters of trees and shrubs. Among the prominent species is an imposing centenary Magnolia grandiflora, which marks the main entrance to the garden. There is also a garden of Buxus sempervirens (boxwood) that, in a reinterpreted way, seeks to recreate the formal style of the gardens of the old noble houses of the region. The diversity of flora contributes to a tranquil environment conducive to contemplation.

Perspectives and Panoramas

The garden offers several points of interest for observing the surroundings. From within, it is possible to glimpse the Aqueduct of Vila do Conde, which stretches to the east, framing the landscape with its historic structure. Additionally, a tower located in the garden allows for a pleasant panoramic view over the historic center of Vila do Conde, revealing the town's urban fabric from an elevated perspective.

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