Rotunda da Boavista garden

The Rotunda da Boavista is a circular garden in the Boavista district that houses a monument to the Heroes of the Peninsular War, featuring a 45-meter granite column topped with a lion sculpture. The garden surrounds one of Porto's main traffic intersections with landscaped green spaces.

The site was established in 1915 around a commemorative monument marking the Portuguese and British victory against Napoleonic forces during the Peninsular War. This period shaped Porto's identity as a place of resistance and international cooperation.

The garden serves as a gathering place for seasonal festivities like Christmas celebrations and the traditional São João festival that draws Porto residents together. These events shape neighborhood life and show how the space functions as a social hub for the local community.

The garden is easily accessible via the Casa da Música metro station, with multiple STCP bus lines connecting the area to other parts of Porto. The central location makes it straightforward to combine a visit here with other attractions nearby.

The space contains California centennial palm trees, liquidambars, and oak trees that create an unusual botanical mix within an urban setting. These trees give the place a distinctive character that sets it apart from typical Portuguese gardens.