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Aquilino Ribeiro Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Viseu > Viseu > Viseu > Bairro da Balsa

Location

Aquilino Ribeiro Park is located in Viseu, in the heart of the city, more precisely in the area known as Bairro da Balsa. This central location makes it easily accessible, situated on a gently sloping northeast hillside. Although surrounded by urban buildings, the park is protected by its dense vegetation, creating a tranquil environment isolated from the city's hustle and bustle.

Green Memory and History

This space, currently named Aquilino Ribeiro Park, is a true historical and natural legacy of Viseu. Formerly known as Parque da Cidade (City Park), its roots stretch back centuries. The area corresponds to a portion of the old enclosure of the Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos, which, in turn, was part of the medieval "Quinta de Mançorim". The large trees that today populate the park are living witnesses of this past, some planted by the friars of the convent as early as the 17th century, giving it, since long ago, the role of one of the city's green "lungs". Its reconversion into a public park in the 20th century consolidated its importance as a natural refuge within the urban fabric.

Design and Environment

Aquilino Ribeiro Park was designed in the 1950s by the landscape architect António Viana Barreto, with a concept that prioritizes functionality and enjoyment of the space. It features a modernist layout, with a well-defined trapezoidal shape and enclosed by railings set on stone walls. Inside, a network of paths invites leisurely strolls, lined with stone benches designed for rest. It features a large central lawn and a curvilinear lake, with artificial stone slab banks, which includes a small island, providing a serene environment conducive to contemplation.

Structures and Nature

The park's dense tree cover is composed of a remarkable variety of species, including oaks, ash trees, magnolias, lime trees, white poplars, and deodar cedars, some of which are centenary trees pre-dating the creation of the modern park. Among the foliage, various integrated structures can be found, such as a building housing a children's library, a roller skating rink with tracks dedicated to extreme sports, and a children's play area with modern equipment. On the northern boundary of the park, stands the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Vitória, and in its vicinity, a bronze bust on a stone plinth commemorates the historian João de Barros, lending a cultural touch to the natural environment.

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

Coordinates DD: 40.656028403774, -7.9151415528302
Coordinates DMS: 40°39'21.7"N 07°54'54.5"W

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