Crystal Palace: a garden full of surprises to discover


    The Crystal Palace's Gardens are placed in Porto City's Centre and were projected on 1860 by Émile David after the construction of The Crystal Palace, architected by Carlos Loureiro, and renamed in 1950 for Rosa Mota's Pavillion.
    At the main entrance we can find the Émile David Gardens where we can see rhododendrons, camellias, araucarias, gingkos and beechs, as well as fountains and statues that refer to different seasons of the year.



    Then we can see the Linden Trees Avenue which is the main garden axis. It is surrounded by Almeidas Garret's Library, the Acoustic Shell and by the Carlos Alberto Sardenha Chappell. In this axis and in other ones there are viewpoints where you can panoramically see Douro River and the city. At the end of this avenue we find the chappell that the Princess of Montléart had built as an homage to her brother, King Carlos Alberto.


   If we continue to explore the garden we will find some themed gardens such as Aromatic Plants' Garden, the Medicinal Garden, the Garden of the Twin Cities and finally the Garden of Feelings where you can see the statue of "Dor" (EN: Pain) by Teixeira Lopes. Whithin the space of the garden there are still the Woods, the Chestnuts-of-India Avenue and the Garden of the Rose.
    This space has a total of eight hectares, but not only fauna and flora are the highlights , but it also has different free-time-activities like concerts, book fairs ans many other along the year.
    In the middle of the natural wonders it is possible to make long walks by the stairs and by the sidewalk from the balconies with a view to the city ad the river, where there are many flower beds and thick groves that lead to Little Apple Tree's Farm.


    There are plenty of flora species spread in the gardens that surround the Crystal Palace from seven imposing copies the California palm trees, lime, camellias, magnolias, acer, araucarias, among others.
    In regard to wildlife there are different birds, including pigeons, seagulls, ducks and the emblematic peacocks, walking in the gardens.
    These gardens are a good example of the possibility of having an harmony between Men and Nature. Among the garden there are stone tables, picnic zones and places to relax or just read a book... enjoy nature!



Written by: Andreia Castro
Translated by: Francisca Rehbein
Photos and video by: Lucas Ervedosa

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