Garden

Parque das Virtudes
23 November, 2024 / , ,

Next to the Fonte das Virtudes there is a very peculiar vertical garden, which also belonged to the Casa dos Albuquerques.

It’s a terraced park in the valley where the Rio Frio used to run, which was designed by José Marques Loureiro, a landscape gardener, and which was owned by the Companhia Hortícola Portuense at the end of the 18th century.

This garden has a remarkable variety of tree species, as it was used for many years as a florist’s shop selling plants.
Today it is municipal property and is full of tall trees, including the largest Ginkgo Balboa in the country, at around 35 metres.

It has an entrance at the bottom, on Rua Azevedo de Albuquerque, and another at the top, behind the Palace of Justice.

It’s a hidden garden, known to few, but definitely worth a visit, with a fantastic view over the River Douro.

The sculptures of S. Lázaro Garden
20 January, 2021 / , ,

In the vicinity of the Porto School of Fine Arts, scattered throughout the São Lázaro Garden, there is a collection of sculptures that you should not miss.

Statue of António da Silva Porto by Barata Feyo

António Carvalho da Silva was a portuguese painter who later adopted the name of his home town as his surname, thus becoming known as Silva Porto.
He studied at the Porto Academy of Fine Arts, did an internship in Paris and Italy, and in 1879 returned to Portugal.
Among others, he received the gold medal of the Portuguese Industrial Exhibition of 1884 and the first medal of the Artistic Guild.
The bronze bust was designed by Barata Feyo, a sculptor and teacher, who had an important pedagogical action as a teacher at the School of Fine Arts in Porto.
He was a major figure in the second generation of portuguese modernist sculptors of the 20th century and sculpted this bust in 1950,

Tenderness Sculpture by Henrique Moreira

The sculpture Tenderness is at the centre of the garden, and recalls the portuguese who died in the Great War of 1914-18.
Henrique Moreira graduated from in Porto Academy of Fine Arts.
He left us vast notable works, such as the decorative Floreira of Avenida dos Aliados. His work has a naturalistic expressiveness, and the trend of Art Deco.
João Cutileiro’s Torso sculpture

João Cutileiro attended the studio of Jorge Barradas and António Duarte as a volunteer and it was with the latter that he had contact with the stone for the first time.
He presented his first solo exhibition in 1951, at the age of 14.
He attended the Lisbon School of Fine Arts, and the Slade School of Art in London.
His themes were love, desire and the fullness of being, whose revelation in the field of nature is celebrated with respect and simplicity.

Marques de Oliveira by Soares dos Reis

Naturalistic painter and art critic, Marques de Oliveira was born in the city of Porto in 1853.
At the Academia Portuense de Belas-Artes, he stood out as one of the best students in the course of Historical Painting.
After a brief stint in Italy, he returned to Porto. He had a remarkable teaching career and introduced open air painting in Portugal with drawing as the basis of all his works. His long teaching career was considered remarkable, and led students to direct contact with nature.

In 1929, two years after his death, Porto paid tribute to him by inaugurating a monument in his honour by his friend and fellow countryman sculptor Soares dos Reis in Jardim de São Lázaro.
The great landscape architect’s haughtiness is supported by an elongated bust. The straight and triangular structure of the face with small angular and impressive touches on the hair, beard and eyebrows.

The iron sculptures of the Palace gardens
1 October, 2020 / ,

In the second half of the 19th century, Europe was teeming with technological progress resulting from the various transformations that occurred during the so-called ‘Industrial Revolution’.

There are some architectural and structural examples in Porto from that time and also some of which unfortunately only have a few memories left.

This is the case of the Palácio de Cristal, which received its name because it was inspired by the Crystal Palace in everything similar, except in size, which had been built in London for the same purpose, that is, the installation of a universal public exhibition.

But if iron was now used as a raw material in large industrial foundries combined with brilliant engineering and architecture works, it was also beginning to see its potential applied to sculpture. It allowed the same type of detail and finishing of more noble metals, but with greater ease and economy of production, as well as the possibility of series production of pieces created by great masters.

Thus, it is common to have public works in landscaped spaces that by that time were created in European cities, sculpture works in cast iron.
The gardens of the Crystal Palace, unlike the building, have been preserved in their original design and their Sculptures as well. If in the case of the Building and in the structural and technological aspects the origins were English, the cultural and aesthetic fields in Porto and Europe were still dominated by French influences, more precisely Parisians.

Upon entering the main gate, we find the garden that preceded the main facade of the Palace and two fountains adorned with sculptural elements and four figures that represent the Seasons of the Year. It is possible to understand its origins because the foundries where they were produced and in in some cases the author or author of the original modeling.

It is curious to observe, according to a study published by Paula Torres Peixoto in the Revista de Arquitectura Lusitana, that since the Works that represent the Seasons come from different origins, we actually have 3 and not the 4 seasons represented, since the one that it is in its base identified with being autumn, it is actually summer that appears twice.

Following Avenida das Tílias, we will pass through the Concha Acústica and the commonly known as “Fonte dos Cavalinhos”, both with excellent sculptural works in cast iron.

For all this and for all the surrounding space, the “Palace” is and will always be one of the most beloved places in the City.

Porto seen from Gaia
21 September, 2020 /

More than a garden, it is a privileged viewpoint of the Rio Douro and the city of Porto. The Jardim do Morro, in Gaia, is a brilliant spot to watch the sunset or to appreciate a casual stroll and enjoy the view.

For those in Porto, the access to this garden on the other side of the Rio Douro, can be
done by metro since there is a station right in front, or by foot through the top deck of the Ponte D. Luís I.

The garden, which has been recently refurbished, lies within in the spot where a hill once stood but ended up being destroyed, so as to build an avenue that connected Gaia to the top deck of the bridge and Porto.

The garden was inaugurated in 1927 and has since then become a privileged viewpoint to Porto. A lake, a cave and, recently, some stone benches have been strategically placed to make it that much more charming. The recent construction work improved the green spaces within it, as well as adding in a bar and other supportive structures.

Avenida da República, Vila Nova de Gaia

Praça de Liège
9 October, 2018 / ,

This garden in Foz do Douro is a tribute to war heroes. It has been recently renovated and is the perfect place to enjoy moments of tranquility.

Until 1914 this square had the designation of Largo da Monte da Luz, since this was the name of that area of ​​the Foz do Douro. However, a war episode would change the name of the place. The German invasion of Liège during World War I, and the heroic way in which the inhabitants of this Belgian city beat each other, have caused a great wave of solidarity in Oporto and in various Portuguese towns. On October 8, 1914 the proposal for the attribution of the name of Praça de Liège at Largo da Monte da Luz was approved.

This garden, known for its great tranquility, was recently renovated, in an intervention that recovered the pavement and the two pergolas. The fountain in the central zone of the garden was also recovered.

Fontainhas – A viewpoint over the river
3 September, 2018 / ,

Highly sought after during the São João celebrations, the area of ​​the Fontainhas has a special charm at any time of the year thanks to its the magnificent landscape view.

This wide alameda, very close to the Ponte do Infante, is a privileged place to see the landscape of the Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia and a part of the city of Porto. From here you can also see four of the six bridges of the city of Porto: Ponte Luís I, Ponte do Infante, Ponte Maria Pia and Ponte de São João.

The trees and stone benches make this the perfect place to enjoy the shade on the hottest days or to watch the sunset.

If you want to venture out, you can go down the steep Rua da Corticeira towards the Douro River. On the way, you will find traces of an old chapel and a ceramic factory. For centuries, women who climbed the slope carrying heavy bales of carqueja (a plant that was later used in the furnaces of the downtown bakeries) walked on this sidewalk.

This is, still today, one of the most distinctive areas of the city and a place where strong bonds of friendship remain.

GPS:  41.14251570487, -8.6002564430237

Jardim do Carregal
20 July, 2018 /

It is considered the last romantic garden of Porto. The bridge that crosses the lake and the lush green trees that surround it create a unique and peaceful environment in a very busy area.

Built in 1897, this garden was designed by the Gardener-Landscapist Jerónimo Monteiro da Costa. The lake, the bridge and trees like cedars, sequoias and araucarias make this green space a pleasant place to relax.

Located next to the Hospital de Santo António, this garden also pays homage to the doctor, professor, researcher and artist Abel Salazar, with a statue by the sculptor Hélder de Carvalho.

The name (Carregal) comes from a plant called Carrega which grew on the banks of the Rio Frio (a River) which started near Torrinha and passed through the place where the hospital Santo António is today.

Quinta de Bonjóia – An oasis of tranquillity
18 April, 2018 /

Featuring an eighteenth-century country house, Quinta de Bonjóia is a large space in the eastern part of the city ideal for a delightful family outing.

Occupying an area of ​​roughly 40,000m², Quinta de Bonjóia stands out for its country house, which is said to have been designed by Nicolau Nasoni, architect responsible for the Clérigos Tower. Although the main building has never been completed, this property is classified as a monument of public interest.

The unevenness of the terrain allows you to enjoy a privileged view to the level garden and also to the Campanhã Valley, framed by the river Douro. The gardens and woods that make up this farmhouse invite you to spend some hours appreciating it.

In addition of being a pleasant place to stroll and relax, Quinta de Bonjóia also hosts activities, such as Tai Chi classes, markets dedicated to organic farming and workshops.

Rua da Bonjóia, 185, Porto

Jardim do Morro – Porto seen from Gaia
9 March, 2018 /

More than a garden, it is a privileged viewpoint of the Rio Douro and the city of Porto. The Jardim do Morro, in Gaia, is a brilliant spot to watch the sunset or to appreciate a casual stroll and enjoy the view.

For those in Porto, the access to this garden on the other side of the Rio Douro, can be done by metro since there is a station right in front, or by foot through the top deck of the Ponte D. Luís.

The garden, which has been recently refurbished, lies within in the spot where a hill once stood but ended up being destroyed, so as to build an avenue that connected Gaia to the top deck of the bridge and Porto.

The garden was inaugurated in 1927 and has since then become a privileged viewpoint to Porto. A lake, a cave and, recently, some stone benches have been strategically placed to make it that much more charming. The recent construction work improved the green spaces within it, as well as adding in a bar and other supportive structures.

 

 

 

 

 

Avenida da República, Vila Nova Gaia

Galeria da Biodiversidade – Centro Ciência Viva
6 February, 2018 / , , , ,

Entirely dedicated to biodiversity, the Galeria da Biodiversidade – Centro Ciência Viva is so much more than a museum. This modern space, which combines science and art, is made to create unforgettable memories.  It hosts the photographic exhibition Photo Ark up until the end of April

The center integrates the Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto (MHNC-UP) (Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto), which along with the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) represents one of the hubs connected to the University of Porto.

Located in the legendary Casa Andresen – which inspired the renowned Portuguese poet Sophia de Mello Breyner – the Galeria da Biodiversidade is also surrounded by the Botanical Garden, an equally mandatory stop for science lovers, It is a place where art meets biology and natural history, stimulating interactivity and sensorial experiences. The permanent exhibition integrates 49 very unique narrative modules and installations, organized by 15 main themes that approach several aspects within biological and cultural diversity. From mechanical models to multimedia platforms, there are several ways of bringing together the visitor and the stories told through science, literature and art.

 

 

Photographic Noah’s Ark

Until the 29th April, the Biodiversity Gallery hosts the National Geographic Photo Ark, based on a project from Joel Sartore.  This photographer set a goal 10 years ago: photograph all existing species held in captivity, to create one of the largest archives of biodiversity in the world. This “Photographic Noah’s Ark” is intended to create public awareness towards the conservation of vulnerable animals. The exhibition already pictures over 7000 species and you do not want to miss on seeing its greatest pictures here.

 

Information:

Galeria da Biodiversidade (Gallery of Biodiversity)

Rua do Campo Alegre, n.º 1191, Porto

Schedule: from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm

Regular Ticket: 5€