Been a while since I posted in this community, and only now I saw the bad news. The project is coming to an end, and it deserves a huge praise for all the awesome work during its existence; since I was going to post and remembered this would be a good community to place it, I might as well do it while you're still around!
So, an urban lung.
I knew the name Estufa Fria (the literal translation is cold greenhouse), but I had never visited it, until a couple days ago. I was invited due to work, for a presentation of a new product, and the lecture was inside that place. So there I went, to the heart of Lisboa, and when I found myself inside, I wondered how the hell I hadn't visited before.
Estufa Fria lies next to Parque Eduardo VII, one of the most known urban parks in Lisboa. It's a very well kept garden, whith over 300 plant species, separated in different areas; I've read a little bit about it after visiting and it's amazing how the project started so long ago. They have an awesome website explaining a little bit of the story and what you can find there, so I'll leave you a link here if you want to check it. And I'm going to share what have I found inside.
As you enter, you'll find a large passageway surrounded by greenery, that shortly after bifurcates in different paths, some wider, and some really narrow.
Since this serves an educational purpose as well, you have signs for all the plants inside, explaining what they are and their origin; I love to know what I'm looking at!
Fortunately I arrived early to the presentation, so I could roam around and get lost among all the different flowers and bushes and small trees. The space is huge, and I think I missed a ton of places to see; if I read correctly, this is only part of the greenhouse, since there's another area to the tropical plants, and also an interpretation center with more information and occasional expositions. But even just this part, was more than enough to spend quite some time admiring the view.
At the end of the road, lies the building that is now used for special events. Funny how most of my colleagues didn't seem that interested in checking all that was around them; even if it wasn't my first time here, I doubt I would resist taking another tour! There was also some pieces of art inside, as well as little lakes.
Outside the greenhouse building, a big lake and more greenery awaited, part of the Parque Eduardo VII.
And of course, where there's nature, there's usually birds as well, and the birdwatcher in my can't resist keeping an eye on these creatures!
For the ones more into flora than fauna... well, you've probably realised by now this would be a little paradise.
If you ever visit Lisboa, and need to take a break from the city's rythm, this is a perfect place to do so; the tickets are inexpensive, and chances are you'll visit the aforementioned urban park, so this little gem is right next door.
I did saw a few tourist roaming around, so it's good to see this place doesn't go completely unnoticed. It's so great to finally visit and realise that it's very likely there are still so many gems to be discovered in my home country. I might go back here again in a near future, and make a more prolonged visit.
Because for this small sample... it definitely deserves a full exploration, right? ;)
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