Jardim do Paço Episcopal de Castelo Branco

The Episcopal Palace garden is a Baroque garden with five lakes bordered by stone balustrades and numerous granite statues that create thematic paths through geometrically trimmed boxwood hedges. Water from an original 18th century hydraulic system flows across different terraces and feeds ornamental pools and fountains.

A bishop designed the garden after traveling to Rome and commissioned its construction in 1720. The town took ownership in 1919 and has protected it since as an important landmark.

The garden contains statues of Portuguese kings, apostles, and biblical figures that weave religious and secular symbols together. Their arrangement tells stories and reflects a deep sense of order between the divine and human realms.

Wear comfortable shoes when visiting, as there are multiple levels and paths to explore throughout the space. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light for photographs of the statues and water features.

The garden contains twenty-four boxwood sections designed to represent religious symbols, with water jets that emerge to symbolize the wounds of Christ. This hidden symbolism combines craftsmanship with profound spiritual meaning in a way visitors often miss.