5/5 João X. 1 year ago on Google • 285 reviews
Exuberant
botanical
park
that
unfolds
along
the
edge
the
Lumiar's
plateau,
facing
north
into
one
branch
of
the
Loures'
valley,
at
the
northern
edge
of
Lisbon's
municipality.
The
site
was
originally
an
estate
belonging
to
the
Major
Royal
Huntsman
(Monteiro-mor),
of
which
it
kept
the
name.
Eventually
the
estate
came
to
belong
to
the
Marquis
of
Angeja
who,
in
the
18c
ordered
the
plantation
of
the
Botanical
Park
with
rare
species,
under
supervision
of
the
italian
botanist
Domenico
Vandelli.
In
1840
the
estate
was
acquired
by
Duke
of
Palmela,
and
remained
in
this
family
until
it
was
sold
to
the
Portuguese
State
in
1975.
During
this
period,
the
Botanical
Garden
acquired
most
of
its
actual
features,
with
the
addition
of
more
rare
species,
ponds,
etc.
Together
with
the
Museum
of
Costume,
and
the
Museum
of
Theater
and
Dance,
they
form
a
spectacular
18c
palatial
unit,
a
typical
recreation
palace
on
the
outskirts
of
the
city,
where
the
nobility
would
retreat
into
when
wanted
to
get
away
from
the
city.
The
Park
has
several
parts,
with
a
french
topiary
garden,
fountains,
english
picturesque
garden
areas,
woods,
orchards,
etc.
Better
maintenance
is
necessairy
in
some
parts
of
the
park,
but
its
"rundowness"
adds
a
bit
of
a
picturesque
charm
too.
The
Park
never
gets
crowded,
and
it
is
a
great
place
to
wander
freely,
find
peace
and
calm.
Entrance
may
be
acquired
together
with
a
visit
to
the
museums,
or
separate.
It
is
free
for
citizens
on
Sundays.
Because
of
its
steep
topography,
there
are
plenty
of
stairs,
irregular
paths,
and
it
is
not
wheelchair
accessible.
I
have
seen
people
with
baby
carts,
although
there
were
parts
in
which
the
cart
had
to
be
carried
by
hand.
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