Classical Garden

The main gate was designed by Manuel Bernardes Galinha and was finished in 1884. In wrought iron, with bronze decorative details, this is a very fine example of the neoclassical style and the art of ironwork of the late 19^th century.

Avelar Brotero was the first Portuguese director of the Botanic Garden. He is considered by many to be the Father of Botany in Portugal. The statue by sculptured by Soares dos Reis in 1887.

On the Upper Terrace we find some of the most emblematic trees in the Garden. A collection of conifers, with several araucarias, cypresses and an impressive Sequoia sempervirens. Several eucalyptus trees, some centuries old, others more recent such as the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta), planted in 2017.

Appointed head of Coimbra Botanic Garden in 1873, Júlio Henriques promoted plant and seed exchange with other Botanic Gardens. He led several scientific expeditions for collecting Portuguese plant species and was the founder of the country’s single scientific society of Botany, the ‘Sociedade Broteriana’. His statue was sculptured by Barata Feio in 1951.

Schools of systematics are schools of Botany: the plants are organized and allotted in rectangular flowerbeds, according to their families. The Medicinal School displays aromatic and medicinal plants. They are relevant educational and scientific resources. (Area closed to the public)

High walls and direct sunlight have created a microclimate, thus simulating the stratified environment of the tropical forest. Here there are several species of palm-trees, including

the only native Portuguese species, from the Algarve region, Chamaerops humilis, known as fan palm. Amongst the other plants, there are the giant white birds of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), ferns and gymnosperms, a selection of plants which, in their density, recreate a tropical environment. Palms merit a special mention because they are of such diverse origin and morphology.

Considered one of the oldest buildings of iron architecture in Portugal, the Tropical Glasshouse dates from the second half of the 19^th century, presenting a perfect combination of iron and glass that gives this space an unusual beauty. Its requalification project won the National Urban Rehabilitation Award in 2017, for Best Intervention with Social Impact. The Glasshouse is home to a great diversity of species, including orchids, carnivorous plants, tropical trees, and ferns, distributed in three rooms, with tropical, subtropical and temperate climates.

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This is considered the Garden’s “birthplace”. The typical neoclassical features are quite visible: forged iron gates, stonework, walls and flower-beds in geometrical design, bordered by fences.

Diversity rules here: several species of magnolias, garden cherry trees, azaleas and others alongside the central fountain, lending a Romantic atmosphere to this area.

Appointed Director of the Garden in 1918, Luís Carrisso took up the work performed by Júlio Henriques of enhancing the Botanic Garden’s floral heritage. He led several scientific expeditions

on Portuguese territory with this purpose in mind and initiated a project of collecting African flora species. He died prematurely during an expedition to Angola. The bas-relief was sculpted by José dos Santos in 1948.

This is one of the Garden’s emblematic places: the avenue with two parallel rows of linden trees (Tilia x europaea), also known as also known as European or common lime, changes its appearance according to the season, and in May or June, the blooming season, the air is pleasantly scented.