Garden São Bento, Garden in Lapa neighborhood, Lisbon, Portugal
Jardin São Bento is a small public garden in the Lapa neighborhood of Lisbon, located right next to the Palacete de São Bento, the official residence of the Prime Minister. The layout is symmetrical, with tended flower beds, stone paths, and a central sculpture group as its focal point.
The grounds are tied to the Palacete de São Bento, which has served as the official residence of the Prime Minister since 1938. The gardens remained closed to the public for a long time, reserved for official events, until they were opened on Sundays for everyone to visit.
The garden sits next to the Portuguese Parliament building, giving it a notable place in the civic life of the city. On Sundays it opens free of charge, drawing locals and visitors who want to walk through a green space tied to public life.
The garden is open on Sundays at no cost, with closing times that shift depending on the season, earlier in autumn and winter. There are no facilities on site, so it is worth bringing water, especially in summer when the sun can be strong.
The central sculpture in the garden, known as 'A Família', was made by Portuguese sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida and shows a kneeling couple holding a child, with two doves beside them. The decision to open the garden to the public was announced just after the April 25th celebrations, making the opening itself a civic gesture.
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