Remember Vasco da Gama the famous explorer? The Jardim Vasco da Gama is named in his honor. This garden provides a green space in Belém. It is a tribute to the man who discovered the sea route to India.
The Jardim Vasco da Gama sits between Avenida da Índia and Rua Vieira Portuense. This location was once the old beach of Belém near the Jerónimos Monastery. The Jardim Vasco da Gama covers 4.2 hectares.
Landscape architect António Saraiva designed it between 1983 and 1985. The Jardim Vasco da Gama features a large central lawn. A small playground sits within it. Trees and shrubs frame the space. They offer a green backdrop.
In November 2006 the Jardim Vasco da Gama became part of Lisbon’s Digital Gardens network. People can access free Wi-Fi here.
The Jardim Vasco da Gama is partly within protected zones. These zones include the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém National Palace.
A highlight of the Jardim Vasco da Gama is the Thai Pavilion. The government of Thailand gifted it. It commemorated 500 years of relations between Thailand and Portugal. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Lisbon Mayor António Costa opened it on February 21 2012.
Craftsmen in Bangkok created the pavilion using traditional methods. They used teak wood covered in gold leaf. Colorful glass decorates it. The roof has plates resembling dragon skin. The spires represent stylized angels. The pavilion was built without nails or screws using only wooden joints.
The Thai Pavilion arrived in Lisbon by ship. It followed the same route as Portuguese navigators 500 years before. José Eduardo de Mello Gouveia Portugal’s ambassador to Thailand in the 1980s supported the pavilion. The initial plan was to place it in the Tropical Botanical Garden. But it would have been too hidden. Another idea was near the Tagus River. But the National Railway Network objected. Finally the Architectural Heritage Institute approved its location in the Jardim Vasco da Gama.
The Jardim Vasco da Gama hosts the annual Thailand Festival. This free event celebrates Thai art culture and food. The Embassy of Thailand organizes it with support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Lisbon City Council. In 2019 the festival attracted 15000 visitors.
“Castle of the Eye” is the garden’s only decorative sculpture. The council commissioned this granite sculpture in 1994. Japanese sculptor Minoru Niizuma created this non-figurative piece. It uses geometric abstraction. The sculpture features five granite cubes in a rhythmic pattern.
The Jardim Vasco da Gama is more than just a garden. It is a tribute to exploration friendship and culture. Take a moment to appreciate this unique space in Belém. It blends history nature and international cooperation.