For those who enjoy outdoor plans, strolling in the green spaces of the city is always a good option. After all quality of some of the gardens porto has even been recognized internationally. Without spending any money, because admission is free you can always stop by the Porto Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico do Porto, in portuguese), on Rua do Campo Alegre. Surrounded by exotic plants, this place perfectly combines nature, knowledge and literature.
However, this beautiful garden is much more than a home for rare plant species. The creation of the Galeria da Biodiversidade – Centro Ciência Viva has broadened its scope. But there’s much more to tell. Our aim is to explore the history of this space, as well as its connection to the unique writing of Sophia Mello Breyner Andresen, an illustrious woman from Porto.
Table Of Contents
History of Quinta do Campo Alegre
The Porto Botanical Garden was born in the old Quinta do Campo Alegre. It has had several owners. But it is precisely in its last owners that it has gained greater splendor. We’re talking about the well-known Andresen.
In 1895, João Henrique Andresen Júnior and his wife Joana Andresen bought Quinta do Campo Alegre. This family, with links to the Port wine trade, marked the appearance of the house and its gardens.
Two members of the Andresen family became famous writers: Sophia de Mello Breyner and Ruben A. both collected memories at Quinta do Campo Alegre and its beautiful gardens, which would inspire them later on.
This was not the first Botanical Garden
Let’s go back to the original question: did you know that the first Botanical Garden in Porto wasn’t on Rua do Campo Alegre? It’s true! The first Botanical Garden in Porto was established in the grounds of the now-defunct Carmelite Convent in 1866.
A few years later, in 1903, the Garden was installed in the Jardim da Cordoaria. But only for a very short time. It wasn’t until 1951 that the University of Porto and the city would once again have their own Botanical Garden, precisely on the spot where it enchants us today.
The start of a new life
The Andresen remained in possession of Quinta do Campo Alegre until 1949. But at this point, the property was sold to the Portuguese state.
After some time of neglect, Professor Américo Pires de Lima and Franz Koepp (a German landscape architect) s owed the seeds for the new life of the Botanical Garden. Koepp designed some iconic corners, such as the Schist Garden or the Fish Garden.
The Botanical Garden of modern times
At the beginning of the 2000’s, and after some renovations, the Botanical Garden reopened to the public. This, after being closed for some time since the 80s.
The composition of gardens and the organization of space
The Botanical Garden currently covers an area of 4 hectares and is divided into three levels with different characteristics.
In general, this is the composition of the Botanical Garden:
- Casa Andresen and the surrounding area, with a historic garden made up of three different parts (Rose Garden, Jotas Garden and Fish Garden). Not forgetting the tall hedges of camellias;
- Greenhouses;
- The Cactus and Succulent Garden;
- Spaces with centuries-old trees and various rare and/or exotic species;
- Small lakes, etc.
Biodiversity Museum
The spaces of the former Quinta do Campo Alegre gained a new point of interest in 2017. The Biodiversity Gallery – Live Science Center is housed in Casa Andresen.
This space is the result of an intersection between art, biology and natural history. Therefore, here you can find various modules and themes linked to today’s biological and cultural diversity.
The garden and literature
However, this space is not all about botany and science. Home to centuries-old trees and camellias, these gardens also serve as a stage for the world of books.
In fact, this is a place of reference in the life and work of the famous writers Sophia de Mello Breyner and Ruben A. After all, both spent part of their childhood and youth at Casa Andresen.
The bronze boy
There are several excerpts and references to the old Quinta do Campo Alegre in the works of Sophia Mello Breyner and Ruben A. However, we will focus on the book “The Bronze Boy”.
This is a children’s book by Sophia, published in the 60s. In this work, the writer’s connection with the space we know today as the Porto Botanical Garden is evident.
To understand this connection, just read the excerpt from the book “The Bronze Boy”, which is on a plaque at the site:
In a shady, lonely and green place, there was a small garden surrounded by very tall trees. In the middle of the garden was a round pond that was always full of leaves. In the center of the lake was a very small island where ferns were growing and in the center was a statue of a bronze boy.”
We could highlight other books and excerpts here, which reflect the inspiration of the writers in their memories and the beauty of the place. But the best thing is to go and explore and contemplate this magical garden in the heart of Porto.