Jardim Botanico d'Ajuda
The Jardim Botanico d'Ajuda (Ajuda Botanical Garden) is the oldest botanical garden in Portugal and was laid out as part of Ajuda Palace (Palácio Nacional da Ajuda) in 1768, when the Portuguese king transferred his court to Ajuda after the devastating 1755 earthquake.
History
The Jardim Botanico d'Ajuda in Belem, western Lisbon was designed by Domingos Vandelli with help from Júlio Mattiazi, the Italian garden designer responsible for the Padua Botanical Garden, Europe's oldest.
The grounds are laid out in a grand geometric plan with manicured hedges, low walls and ornamental fountains. Peacocks stroll through the garden which is also now a natural habitat for other urban creatures in Lisbon.
The original purpose of the garden was to provide a space for play and adventure for the grandchildren of the Portuguese royal family.
Some of the trees in the garden are over 400 years old and at its height the Jardim Botanico d'Ajuda had over 5,000 species of plants until around 1,500 were removed by the invading French army during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century. The majority of the species were brought from Portugal's overseas territories in Brazil, Africa and Asia.
The "the garden of scents" with aromatic and medicinal plants, is designed for the visually impaired.
The garden has been substantially improved and renovated in recent times thanks to grants from the EU and the city of Lisbon.
Located on a rise, there are good views from the garden on a clear day over Belem, the Monastery of Jeronimos, the Belém Cultural Centre, the Tower of Belém, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the River Tagus below.
Access & Hours
Jardim Botanico d'Ajuda (www.isa.ulisboa.pt/jba/apresentacao)
Calcada da Ajuda, s/n, Lisbon 1300-011
Tel: 213 622 503
Hours: November 1 - March 31; 10 am-5 pm; May 1 - 31 September; 9 am-6 pm (weekends & holidays 9 am-8 pm); April & October; 10am-5pm (weekends & holidays 10 am-6 pm). Closed 25 December & 1 January.
Admission: Small fee.
Buses: #729, #732, #742, #60. Tram: #18.
From Cascais or Cais do Sodre on the Cascais Line get out at Belém station; Ferry: From Porto Brandaõ on the south side of the River Tagus to Belém.
Other attractions within fairly easy reach of the Palace of Ajuda include the Museu da Presidencia da Republica, the Museu de Arquitetura e Tecnologia (MAAT) housed in the vast, red-brick former Tejo power station and Jardim do Ultramar. All are located south of the palace close to the River Tagus.
The Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa is another botanical garden in Lisbon.
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