Description of the attraction
The Santa Barbara Gardens were founded in 1955 and are located in the northeastern part of the Episcopal Palace, on a hill. These gardens are one of the most picturesque places in Portugal.
Italian Renaissance gardens line the west wing of this historic building dating from the 14th century. The western wing of the palace is the oldest part of the palace, which today houses the municipal library. Not far from the Santa Barbara Gardens are the Misericordia Church and Braga Cathedral.
In the center of the garden there is a fountain crowned by the statue of Saint Barbara, after whom the garden is named. According to legend, Saint Barbara, in addition to the gift of saving from sudden and violent death, belongs to the gift of saving from storms at sea and from fire on land.
Decorative plaques throughout the garden indicate that Jose Cardoso da Silva was responsible for the design and landscape architecture. There are many flowers, plants and shrubs on the territory, trimmed in the form of various shapes. Artfully created flower beds of geometric shape made of boxwood, decorated with figuratively trimmed cedars, amaze the imagination.
The ruins of the medieval arcade of the episcopal palace seem to establish the border between the southern and eastern parts of the garden. The cozy courtyard located in the northern part of the palace is very well-groomed, where you can see the cornice of the pediment, sculptures and the preserved coat of arms on the foundation.
