Camões Garden Orchard

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Santarém > Constância > Constância

Location

The Camões Garden and Arboretum is located in the heart of the village of Constância, a picturesque locality known for its connection to the rivers. It is situated in a central area of the village, allowing visitors to easily explore its historical surroundings. From there, it is possible to enjoy the landscape over the mouth of the Zêzere River, which flows into the Tagus, in a setting that evokes riverside tranquility.

A Botanical Homage to Poetry

This garden was conceived as a unique homage to Luís Vaz de Camões, offering a singular perspective on his work. It features over fifty botanical species that the poet referenced in his lyrical works and in the epic "Os Lusíadas". As one walks its paths, a diversity of flora can be found, from Mediterranean plants to some tropical ones, each duly identified with its name and, instructively, with the verse where Camões immortalized it. It is a tangible way to connect literature with nature.

Historical and Symbolic Elements

In addition to its botanical richness, the garden integrates various elements that deepen its connection to the figure of Camões and the history of the Portuguese Discoveries. Right at the entrance, a statue of the poet, by master Lagoa Henriques, invites contemplation of the river. Inside, an azulejo panel visually narrates Camões' maritime journeys across three continents. There is also a Macao Garden, evoking the Portuguese presence in the East, and an open-air amphitheater hosting a reproduction of Ptolemy's Planetarium. Of particular note are the imposing armillary sphere, a symbol of the universality of Portuguese culture and the 500 years of the Discoveries, and a 17th-century anchor recovered from the Tagus.

A Space for Contemplation

Inaugurated in 1990 and designed by landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Teles, the Camões Garden and Arboretum is a place that invites peace and reflection. Its serene atmosphere, combined with its cultural and historical dimension, makes it a destination for those seeking a moment of quietude. It represents one of the most distinctive tributes erected to a poet, inviting the discovery of flora and Camonian inspiration in a single, harmonious space.

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