Crystal Palace Gardens

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Vilar

Location

Situated in an elevated area of the city of Porto, the Crystal Palace Gardens offer a unique perspective on their surroundings. Their location, in the Vilar area, allows visitors to enjoy extensive views, with the Douro River in the foreground and the city stretching along its banks. Being in this place provides a privileged vantage point over the landscape.

Historical Origin

The history of these gardens dates back to the 1860s. They were designed by the German landscape architect Émile David, as part of the original Crystal Palace project, a remarkable iron architecture building constructed for the 1865 International Exhibition. Although the original palace no longer exists, replaced by a more recent construction, the gardens retain elements of Émile David's initial romantic layout, such as the arrangement of some avenues and green areas, which can still be appreciated today.

Route and Themes

A stroll through the gardens reveals a diversity of spaces and environments. Highlights include the extensive Linden Avenues (Avenidas das Tílias) and Plane Tree Avenues (Avenidas dos Plátanos), which serve as main axes. Along the route, different thematic areas are found, such as the Aromatic Plants Garden, the Medicinal Plants Garden, the Garden of Sentiments, where the sculpture "Pain" by António Teixeira Lopes resides, and a Rose Garden enriched with artistic elements. The complex also includes fountains, flowerbeds, and sculptures evoking the seasons, distributed throughout an environment that combines more formal areas with woodland zones.

Botanical Richness

The gardens' botanical collection is varied, featuring tree and shrub species of different origins. It is possible to admire notable specimens such as Virginia Tulip Trees, various varieties of Lindens, Camellias, Magnolias, Metrosideros, Araucarias, and imposing Palm Trees. Some of these specimens hold particular value, being classified or in the process of classification due to their size and uniqueness, such as a Virginia Tulip Tree located in the area of the former Casa Tait, or a Metrosidero next to the Library.

Architectural and Cultural Elements

In addition to the natural landscape, the gardens host several structures that mark the place. In the center stands the Rosa Mota Pavilion, the building constructed where the Crystal Palace once stood. The Linden Avenue, one of the main axes, is flanked by the Almeida Garrett Municipal Library and the Acoustic Shell. Nearby is also the Chapel of Charles Albert of Sardinia, a small building of historical significance, commissioned in the mid-19th century in memory of the Italian king exiled in Porto.

Landscape Perspectives

One of the great attractions is the succession of viewpoints scattered throughout the gardens. From these elevated points, wide horizons open up over the Douro River, allowing contemplation of the Vila Nova de Gaia bank and the city of Porto. The different balconies and terraces offer varied perspectives on the riverside landscape, the river mouth, and, at times, the coastline, making them ideal spots to appreciate the breadth of the view.

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