Squares and Gradens

Arca D´Água Garden (Jardin de Arca D´Água)- the writers Ramalho Urtigão and Antero de Quental fought a duel, in 1866, where now lies the Garden. It is situated in the Paranhos Quarter and has as its official name 9 of April Square (Praça 9 de Abril).

Botanic Garden (Jardim Botânico)- houses the actual Botanic Institute (Instituto Botânico), construction in the romantic style. Situated in the Campo Alegre area, in front of the António Cardoso Street (Rua António Cardoso), it is much smaller than the farm that gave its roots, but is still favoured by the students that go to universities nearby.

Boavista Garden (Jardim da Boavista)- it is called Rotunda and through it have already circulated cars and trams. The garden was then closed to traffic. The intense automobile movemnet in the area takes away the necessary tranquility to become the first choice of people who are looking for a green space.

Carregal Garden (Jardim do Carregal)- It is a pity that the waters that pass by it don´t get more attention. Sometimes you can see ducks swimming in the waters that surround the Santo António Hospital (Hospital Santo António). Although it is small, the Carregal, that is really called Carrilho Videira Garden (Jardim Carrilho Videira) was projected in 1857 by Jerónimo Monteiro da Costa. The bridge over the lake, the intense vegetation make it a good place to rest in between the old and new city.

 Cordoaria Garden (Jardim da Cordoaria)- it is the great rival of São Lázaro Garden (Jardim de São Lázaro). Since 1866 it was a reference to the west part of town. From the Clerigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos) you can contemplate the garden in a different way.

São Lázaro Garden (Jardim de São Lázaro)- the bandstand in one of the corners of the garden, the Public Library (Biblioteca Municipal) the Fine Arts College (Escola de Belas Artes) is the scenery of the garden, considered the "jewel of the crown". It was always one of the most loved gardens of the city and is still one of the most populated. It is a typical romantic garden.

Passeio Alegre Garden (Jardim do Passeio Alegre)- this garden has, all week long, a kind of pilgrimage. It was said that, in times, the walk of the sad was done there. It is very pleasant to walk there, near th River Douro and the São João Baptista Fortress ( Fortaleza de São João Baptista).

Crystal Palace Garden (Jardim do Palácio de Cristal)- on the weekends you can walk peacefully there. There is a harmony transmitted by the green and infinite flowers. The gardens have rare flowers and plants, there is a Tília Avenue (Avenida das Tílias) and everything seems to work according to the french gardens. The Town House worked hard to give back this garden with some dignity to the city, but there still exists the shadow of the real Crystal Palace (Palácio de Cristal) destruction in 1951.

Serralves Garden (Jardim de Serralves)- this garden fascinated, and slowly the Oporto residents discover the true potencials of this green area. In the area is now being built the Modern Art Center (Centro de Arte Moderna). You can find several small gardens and water fountains, all in different levels of the garden.

Carlos Alberto Square (Praça Carlos Alberto)-it has a small garden and a monument to the dead of the Great War, but was is more interesting in it is the architectural surroundings built at the end of the XVIII and beginning of the XIX Centuries.

Infante Square (Praça do Infante)- near the Ribeira, has in its center a statue, very photographed by tourists. On the top of thestreet is the Ferreira Borges Market (Mercado Ferreira Borges).

 Liberdade Square (Praça da Liberdade)- together with the Avenida dos Aliados and Praça Almeida Garrett it forms the big showroom of Oporto. The fabulous architectural collection surrounds the whole area and marks an expansion period of the city. It is how used for all kinds of manifestations.

 Marquês de Pombal Park (Parque Marquês de Pombal)- became known as this in 1882. It includes a romantic garden, a bandstand and 2 waterfalls. The children can find a library just for them. The retired people go there to play cards.

Republica Square (Praça da Republica)- the garden is not particularly interesting but it is surrounded by an important collection of small palaces.