Butterfly House
The Butterfly House is a greenhouse-like building in São Domingos de Rana with glass walls that allow sunlight to warm the interior space. Inside, dozens of butterfly species live among plants that provide food and shelter, flying freely and completing their full life cycle in the controlled environment.
The house was established years ago as a project to demonstrate the importance of insects and their ecological role. It grew from local efforts to create public nature spaces and raise awareness about the need to protect the environment and its wildlife.
The house takes its name from the butterflies that live here, reflecting its purpose as a space for experiencing these insects up close. Visitors observe how butterflies interact with plants, rest in sunlight, and move through the space, creating a direct connection between people and nature.
Visit on a sunny day for the best experience, as butterflies need sunlight to have energy for flight and activity. Walk slowly and speak quietly to avoid disturbing the insects, and take time to rest on benches placed near a small pond in the garden.
Visitors can bring caterpillars they find in their home gardens and leave them here instead of removing them, supporting the house's live population. A surprising detail is that butterflies have been found laying eggs even on a tenth floor balcony in Lisbon, showing how close these insects come to city life.
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