Page 79 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

FUR THER AFIELD  77

stretches uphill from the
Praça Marquês de Pombal to
a belvedere at the top. Here
are a flower-filled garden
dedicated to the memory of
Amália Rodrigues (see p145)
and a pleasant café. From here
there are fine views of the city.
On clear days it is possible to
see as far as the Serra da
Arrábida (see p113).
Located at the northwest
corner, the most inspiring
feature of this rather mono-
Detail on the base of the monument in Praça Marquês de Pombal tonous park is the jungle-like
Estufa Fria, or greenhouse,
The despotic statesman, who 5 Parque Eduardo VII where exotic plants, streams
virtually ruled Portugal from Praça Marquês de Pombal. Map 5 B4. and waterfalls provide an oasis
1750 to 77, stands on the top Tel 213 882 278. @ 711, 712, 738. from the city streets. There are
of the column, his hand on a q Marquês de Pombal. Estufa Fria: in fact three greenhouses: in the
lion (symbol of power) and his Tel 213 882 278. Open Apr–Oct: Estufa Fria (cold greenhouse),
eyes directed down to the 10am–7pm daily; Nov–Mar: 9am– palms push through the slatted
Baixa, whose creation he 5pm daily. & bamboo roof and paths wind
masterminded (see p19). through a forest of ferns,
Allegorical images depicting Central Lisbon’s largest park fuchsias, flowering shrubs
Pombal’s political, educational was named after King Edward and banana trees; the warmer
and agricultural reforms VII of England, who came here Estufa Quente and Estufa Doce
decorate the base of the in 1902 to reaffirm the Anglo- are filled with tropical plants,
monument. Standing figures Portuguese alliance. The wide water-lily ponds and cacti.
represent Coimbra University grassy slope, which extends Near the estufas, a pond with
where he introduced a Faculty for 25 hectares (62 acres), was carp and a galleon-shaped play
of Science. Although greatly laid out as Parque da Liberdade, area are popular with children.
feared, this dynamic politician a continuation of Avenida da On the east side, the Pavilhão
propelled the country into the Liberdade (see p46), in the late Carlos Lopes, named after
Age of Enlightenment. Broken 19th century. Neatly clipped the 1984 Olympic marathon
blocks of stone at the foot box hedging, flanked by winner, is now used for
of the monument and tidal mosaic patterned walkways, concerts and conferences.
waves flooding the city are
an allegory of the destruction
caused by the 1755 earthquake.
An underpass, which is
not always open, leads to
the centre of the square where
the sculptures on the pedestal
and the inscriptions relating to
Pombal’s achievements can be
seen. Nearby, the well-tended
Parque Eduardo VII extends
northwards behind the
square. The paving stones
around the Rotunda are
decorated with a mosaic of
Lisbon’s coat of arms. Similar
patterns in small black and
white cobbles decorate
many of the city’s streets
and squares.
Many of the city’s sight-
seeing operators have their
main pick-up located at the
bottom of Parque Eduardo VII.
There is also a multi-lingual
booth where visitors can buy
tickets and plan excursions. Tropical plants in the Estufa Quente glasshouse, Parque Eduardo VII

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