Located in the Belém district, this simple green space is not far from the famous Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Museu Coleção Berardo. It is adjacent to the Museu Nacional dos Coches and there is a pedestrian bridge for crossing Avenue Brasilia. It was a nice spot for a break from touristing as I was walking along the Tagus this morning.
The centerpiece of the park is the Estátua Afonso de Albuquerque. Americans will recognize the name of that big city in New Mexico, but well prior to its founding Afonso de Albuquerque was the first Duke of Goa (India) and served as a Portuguese general, admiral, and statesman. During these years as the Viceroy of Portuguese India (1509-1515), he expanded Portuguese influence across the Indian Ocean. Albuquerque advanced the three-fold Portuguese grand scheme of combating Islam, spreading Christianity, and securing the trade of spices by establishing a Portuguese Asian empire. So of course there's a big statue of the man in this plaza named for him.
The park has multiple benches and a sculpture fountain (drained for the season). There was no litter.
[Review 16619 overall - 135 in Portugal - 130 of 2022.] read more