Garden

Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro Square – A garden to enjoy the autumn in Oporto
4 December, 2017 /

It is one of the most recent green spaces in the city and one of the quietest, despite all the movement around it.

Located in the Antas area and surrounded by several cafes ideal for a family breakfast, this garden was built in 1948. Initially it was designated as Velasquez Square Garden (Spanish painter, 1599-1660), name by which it is still known by the older residents.

Its current name – Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro Square – honors the former Portuguese Prime Minister, born in Porto in July 1934 and died on December 4, 1980, in a plane crash near Lisbon.

This circular shaped garden has a sculpture alluding to the politician. With ample space for walking, running or cycling, it also has places with shade and benches that invite you to rest.

The former FC Porto stadium (Estádio das Antas, which is now demolished) was very close by, so on football days it was one of the busiest places in the city.

On the third Saturday of each month, an Antique Fair takes place in this garden.

STCP (Bus): 300,301, 305, 401, 402, 805, 806 and 8M

Quinta do Covelo
14 March, 2017 /

Pure air and a space for leisure

This area, dating back to the thirteenth century, was donated to the Porto Municipality for the construction of a hospital. The construction never took place, but Quinta do Covelo is now an ideal place to breathe fresh air and do sport activities.

This 8-hectare area is one of the favorite places for many people to run, cycle or entertain their children in a large playground.

The estate belonged to a nobleman, who later sold it to the merchant Manuel Jose do Covelo. It changed ownership again in the 1930s and ended up in the hands of the municipality, so that a hospital for tuberculosis could be built there.

The work was never completed and the vast landscaped area has pine trees and cork oaks, and boasts a space that invites leisure, a cafeteria, dirty-jump / BTT track and an Environmental Education Center.

Rua de Faria Guimarães / Rua do Bolama, Porto

Opening hours:

Park 7: 00/20: 00H every day

Children’s playground: 10: 00/20: 00H every day

Directions: STCP: 204 and 603

Boavista Roundabout – A landmark in the landscape
19 February, 2017 /

In one of the busiest areas of the city, this is a place of tranquility, but also of fun on special occasions.

The Monument to the Heroes of the Peninsular War, placed in the center of the garden, is a point of reference in the city, and can be seen from far. But the garden of Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square, commonly known as “Rotunda da Boavista”, has also been a place of leisure for many decades.

The garden, dating back to the early 20th century, was created around the monument, a project by the sculptor Alves de Sousa and the architect Marques da Silva. It is formed by a granite column of 45 meters of height, having at the top a peninsular lion to shoot down a Napoleonic eagle. At the base are sculptures of soldiers.

Even before the construction of the garden, this was a place where fairs were held, but also bullfights or cycle races. A tradition that continues, as the Rotunda da Boavista continues to receive carousels and other entertainment equipment on occasions such as Christmas or São João.

Camellias, liquidambars, and linden trees are some of the species present, but the most prominent are the California centennial palm trees, being of public interest.