Garden of Quinta do Saldanha

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Setúbal > Montijo > Montijo > Bairro do Saldanha

Location

The Garden of Quinta do Saldanha is located in the city of Montijo, within the neighborhood that shares its name. This green area, which extends over flat terrain, is part of the current urban fabric but maintains a connection with the riverside landscape due to its proximity to the estuaries of the Tejo River, a reflection of the region's agricultural past.

Memory and History of the Quinta

This garden is part of a built complex with a history dating back to the 16th century, when Duarte da Gama established the entail (morgadio) of Quinta do Saldanha. The original property was a vast agricultural domain, characterized by a two-story main house, a private oratory, and areas dedicated to crops such as vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens. Although the 1755 earthquake caused widespread destruction, the complex was thoroughly rebuilt, acquiring the architectural characteristics observed today, with Baroque and Neoclassical features. On the main gate, the founder's coat of arms, a stone heraldic piece, can still be admired. The popular designation of the place is due to the fact that the quinta belonged, for several centuries, to the prominent Saldanha da Gama family.

The Garden and Nature

With an area of approximately 1.5 hectares, today's garden corresponds to the quinta's former vegetable garden and orchard. It is a spacious and diverse green area, ideal for walks and moments of relaxation. The local flora includes specimens of olive trees, plane trees, carob trees, poplars, hackberry trees, and oak trees, which contribute to the natural ambiance of the place. Throughout the garden, it is possible to find traces of its original function, such as an old well and an irrigation tank, elements that harmoniously integrate into the current landscape.

A Space for Devotion and Leisure

At the heart of the garden is the Chapel of Our Lord Jesus of the Afflicted, a single-nave religious building with a facade that combines the simplicity of plain style with Baroque and Rococo details. Inside, despite its great sobriety, the chapel houses a polychrome altarpiece highlighting a remarkable ivory image of Christ crucified, of Indo-Portuguese origin from the 17th-18th centuries. This chapel is an important place of devotion, particularly revered by the fishermen of Montijo. In addition to its historical and religious value, the Garden of Quinta do Saldanha also offers a children's playground, making it a versatile and welcoming space for visitors of all ages seeking a peaceful retreat in the city.

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