The severe and cool Parque Eduardo VII, which actually forms a continuation of the Avenida da Liberdade, does not really appear "Portuguese". It was developed in the first decade of the 20th C., considerably later than the boulevard, and was named after the English king, who paid a visit to Lisbon in 1903. Prior to that the fallow area at the top end of the Avenida was called the Parque da Liberdade.
With an area of about 25ha/62 acres it is by far the largest park within the inner city. The middle section consists of two parallel wide paths, joined by a dull and monotonous strip of grass lined by symmetrical hedgerows. The park ends at the top with a 450m/1,404ft long and 55m/181ft wide viewing terrace, whose pillars and lanterns date from the 1940s and can be seen from a distance. In good conditions it is possible to see as far as the Serra da Arrábida. The two less artificial outer areas are more attractive than the center.
The park is often a site for exhibitions, special events and fairs.
The complex known as "Estufa Fria" is located in the northwest corner of the park and is worth visiting. Within this "cold greenhouse", developed in 1929, there is a garden with native and tropical plants, which grow among ponds, bridges and aviaries to form a pleasant setting. The complex is protected by a large roof made of wooden bars.
The Estufa Fria houses a large variety of plants from a range of tropical areas across the globe.
Hours:
March 1 to September 30: 9am-6pm
October 1 to February 28: 9am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Opposite the Estufa Fria, on the east side of the Parque Eduardo VII, stands the Pavilhao Carlos Lopes (named after a marathon runner and Olympic winner), also known as the Pavilhao dos Desportos. It was built in 1932 as a copy of a past building style and accommodates an old sports hall. Nowadays far more concerts and meetings, etc. take place here than sports events. The azulejo pictures on the outside walls and in the entrance hall are noteworthy.
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