Jardim das Virtudes - a green space in the heart of Invicta

Jardim das Virtudes is located in the historic center of the city of Porto, on Azevedo de Albuquerque Street, with about four hectares of green places. Conceived by the hands of José Marques de Loureiro who initially transformed the garden into a plant production center.

In 1965, the Porto Chamber bought the space and carried out some recovery works. In these works the terraces of the garden were rolled up and connected by a staircase to each other. This way, the population and visitors from other countries have at their disposal, in the heart of the city, a tour full of surprises and discoveries to make.

An unique feature of this garden is the fact that its terraces develop throughout down the slope which allows its visitors to have an unique view on the Porto Customs, the River Douro and even on “Vila Nova de Gaia”.

This area has a great variety of trees and shrubs, some of them are secular like the case of the largest Ginkgo Biloba of Portugal, a tree that is thought to have been planted in the 18th century and from a Chinese origin is about 35 meters high and gives focus to the upper levels of the garden. This species was considered in 2005 as a tree of public interest by the General Directorate of Forests. Also we can find other flora species as the camellias and the japoneiras.

But flowers aren’t the only thing that build this garden up, there we can find a Baroque fountain, the Fountain of Virtues and sculptures like the Tree of Virtues or the Wheel.

A vertical garden hidden in the middle of the busy streets of the city of Invicta that enchants all those who pass by and can appreciate its nooks. Another peculiarity of this garden is the fact that it occupies the space that was once occupied by “Companhia Hortícola Portuense”.

Written by: Andreia Castro
Translated by: Luiza Macedo
Photos by: Lucas Ervedosa

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