Praça do Império, Ornate garden in Belém, Portugal.
Praça do Imperio is a rectangular garden in Belém featuring 32 coats of arms crafted from bushes and flowers, with four decorative ponds containing mythological horse sculptures positioned at each corner. The layout spans roughly 27,000 square meters and offers numerous benches and walking paths for exploration.
The garden was created in 1940 for the Portuguese World Exhibition to commemorate both the 800th anniversary of Portuguese independence and 300 years since the nation's restoration. The site thus combines two major historical milestones in its original design.
The central illuminated fountain and geometric layout reflect Portugal's maritime heritage, positioned directly across from the Hieronymites Monastery. The formal beds and ornamental structures invite visitors to walk through a space shaped by the country's seafaring past.
The garden sits near multiple public transportation options, making it easy to reach. The wide paths and abundant seating allow for leisurely exploration regardless of weather conditions.
The site features a mosaic sundial and precisely trimmed bushes forming heraldic symbols of Portugal's former imperial provinces and religious orders. This detailed work transforms the garden into a kind of open-air history book about the country's imperial past.
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