Plane tree from Rossio, Monumental tree in Portalegre, Portugal.
The plane tree of Rossio is a monumental specimen in the center of Portalegre with a canopy spreading roughly 27 meters across. Its wide-reaching branches form a dense leafy roof that casts deep shade over the entire plaza.
The tree was planted in 1838 and became the first natural site in Portugal to receive official recognition as a matter of public interest. This designation set a precedent for protecting important natural monuments in the country.
The square beneath the tree serves as a gathering spot where locals still meet for everyday conversations and social moments. The shaded area remains a natural meeting place that brings the community together across generations.
The tree stands in a public plaza in the heart of the city and is easily accessible on foot from anywhere in Portalegre. The area provides plenty of space to sit and rest in the shade, especially helpful during hot weather.
The trunk displays a remarkable girth of over 5 meters in circumference, revealing the immense scale of this specimen. During street-level work over the decades, part of the trunk was buried beneath the new ground level, a physical record of how the plaza around it has changed.
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