Willow Lake

Category: Nature > Lake

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Regado

Location

Located in the city of Porto, in the area known as Regado, Salgueiros Lake constitutes a distinctive element in the urban landscape. It is situated between the busy arteries of the VCI and Rua de Monsanto, and near the Jardim de Arca d’Água, offering an unexpected perspective in the heart of the city.

Its presence within the urban fabric gives it a particular character, functioning as a point of contrast with the built environment. It is an accessible place, integrated into the daily life of the city, yet inviting a moment of observation and tranquility.

A Singular Origin

The history of Salgueiros Lake is as peculiar as its existence. This body of water was not planned as a green or leisure space, but rather as the unexpected result of an ambitious project that never came to fruition. In the early 2000s, excavations for the construction of a new football stadium for Sport Comércio e Salgueiros began on this land.

However, due to the club's financial problems, the works were halted. With the abandonment of the site, and due to the nature of the soil (sandy-clayey and impermeable) and the presence of a high water table, characteristics that also explain the toponymy "Arca d’Água" in the surrounding area, historically a spring region, the enormous foundation pit naturally filled with water, forming the lake observed today.

Natural Refuge in the Urban Setting

Despite its accidental genesis and urban setting, Salgueiros Lake has become a small sanctuary for wildlife. Birds such as grey herons and cormorants are frequently observed, finding in this space a place to rest and seek food. The presence of these species highlights nature's ability to adapt and thrive even in densely populated environments.

This unexpected aquatic ecosystem, with its remarkable size, contributes to the city's biodiversity, offering a glimpse of wildlife in an unexpected context. It is a point of interest for those who appreciate birdwatching and the way nature manifests itself in urban environments.

Local Memory and Symbolism

For the inhabitants of Porto, and particularly for those connected to the city's sports history, Salgueiros Lake carries a particular symbolism. It is affectionately known by some as the "Salgueiros Stadium", an ironic reference to the project that originated it and never saw the light of day. This popular name reflects the memory of an unfulfilled sporting dream, but also the resilience of a club and the community that supported it.

The lake represents, in a way, an indelible mark of a recent past, transformed by nature into a permanent element of the landscape. It is a point that evokes stories and, due to its uniqueness, remains in the collective memory of the Regado area.

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