Botanical Garden of the University of Lisbon

The Lisbon Botanical Garden, located in the parish of São Mamede, is one of the city's oldest and most important green spaces, with a rich history linked to scientific research and botanical conservation.
Founded in 1873 at the initiative of Count Ficalho and Andrade Corvo, professors at the Lisbon Polytechnic School.
Officially inaugurated in 1878, it was conceived as a scientific garden to support teaching and research in botany.
It is part of the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon.

In a botanical garden, plants are kept looking as close as possible to what they would have in nature, without excessive human intervention (for example, pruning or cutting dry leaves).On the other hand, this ‘hands-off’ option encourages small ecosystems where insects and small animals, other plants, fungi and lichens, which are extremely important for urban biodiversity, live.In the summer, we only water what is essential.Water is a precious commodity, especially in a country like Portugal.Therefore, it is possible that water circulation is limited and that the undergrowth may become drier, especially in the summer. This is a deliberate option that does not put the plants at risk.The presence of the Garden in the heart of Lisbon mitigates the effects of rising temperatures, promoting its own microclimate and the capture of carbon dioxide.