Audio GuideAmoreiras Garden / Marcelino Mesquita Garden

Nestled in Lisbon’s lively Santo António neighbourhood is Jardim das Amoreiras, sometimes known as Jardim Marcelino Mesquita. Created in the middle of the eighteenth century, this historic garden was originally laid out by the Marquis of Pombal—a forward-thinking statesman who oversaw Lisbon’s impressive restoration following the devastating earthquake of that time. The garden was intended not only as a place for leisure but also to support the city’s growing silk industry. At its inception, more than one hundred mulberry trees—whose leaves feed silkworms—were planted here, helping to kick-start silk production in the area.

Yuri Bittar

As you wander along the garden’s shaded stone paths, you will spot the distinctive leaves of the mulberry trees, along with ginkgo and towering plane trees. The gentle rustling of leaves mingles with the sound of water from the elegant round fountain at the garden’s centre. Stone benches encircle the fountain, inviting visitors to pause and enjoy the peaceful setting, while a nearby playground and a small reflective pond further enhance the garden’s sense of tranquillity.

Susana Ribeiro

Bordering the garden stands the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, an impressive feat of eighteenth-century engineering. With its vast arches and grand central span, this aqueduct once channelled fresh water into the heart of a rapidly growing Lisbon. Its tallest arch soars dramatically above the city’s roads, serving as a reminder of how Lisbon’s past and present coexist. At the end of the aqueduct lies the Mãe d'Água reservoir, designed by Carlos Mardel, which now houses the Water Museum and serves as a venue for art exhibitions within its expansive, echo-filled halls.

Just steps away, the former Royal Silk Factory has been reimagined as the Fundação Arpad Szenes-Vieira da Silva, an art museum dedicated to two distinguished modern painters. A recent refurbishment has given the gallery renewed brightness and drawn fresh attention to both Portuguese and international artists.

Jardim das Amoreiras also honours Marcelino Mesquita—a revered Portuguese playwright and poet whose literary legacy reflects the creative spirit of the local community. The garden’s leafy avenues, remarkable baroque and neoclassical buildings, artistic venues, and cultural history come together to offer visitors a rich, multi-layered experience. Here, you can trace Lisbon’s story from its age of silk and monumental waterworks to a thriving city of contemporary art and culture.