Saint John the Baptist Garden

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Porto > Vila Nova de Gaia > Vila Nova de Gaia > Canelas

Location

Situated in the urban area of Canelas, a part of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Jardim de São João Baptista (Garden of Saint John the Baptist) offers a serene space in the heart of the locality. Its central position, opposite the main parish church, makes it an easily accessible point and a landmark for those exploring this area of Gaia.

A Welcoming Green Space

This garden presents itself as an inviting grassy and wooded space, ideal for moments of pause and tranquility. With a generous area of greenery, it provides a calm and relaxing environment, inviting people to enjoy nature. For younger visitors, there is also a children's playground, with colorful and wooden equipment, making the place pleasant for families.

The Art Nouveau Bandstand

One of the most distinctive and valuable elements of the Jardim de São João Baptista is its bandstand. Built in 1907 by Serralharia Artística do Corvo, this Art Nouveau style structure is a remarkable example, recognized as being of Municipal Value since 1980. It features an octagonal plan, six meters in diameter, and a robust granite base, complemented by tile cladding and an elegant iron structure on the roof.

Its interior reveals an artistically painted dome with medallions and stylized ornaments, showing a clear influence of Italian aesthetics in its design. This bandstand is not just an architectural piece of beauty, but also a stage for the memories and events that have marked the community's life over the decades.

A Peculiar Story

The history of the bandstand's construction adds a unique touch to the Jardim de São João Baptista. It is said that the funding for this work, inaugurated on June 24, 1907, was ingeniously obtained by a young man named João Oliveira. Through letters addressed to his father, António Lopes da Costa, João managed to convince him to financially support the project for two years, by posing as a wealthy Brazilian emigrant. This peculiarity makes a visit to the bandstand even more interesting, offering a window into the stories and characters that shaped this place.

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