The Woods of the Botanical Garden

The initial space of the Botanical Garden corresponded to the fence of the former Colégio de S. Bento. Over time, it was extended. Important remains of the Colégio church, demolished in 1932, can be found in the Garden Woods. They correspond above all to fragments of stone from the chancel vault and decorative elements from the arches of the side chapels.

The woods are one of the largest green areas in Coimbra. It occupies about two thirds of the garden, connecting the upper part of the city to the lower part, near the Mondego River. The vegetation of the woods is mainly composed of centuries-old exotic trees and free-growing vegetation. It also includes an important collection of eucalyptus trees, which resulted from the intense exchange of plants and seeds with botanical gardens around the world.

At the top is the shade house called Estufa fria (unheated greenhouse), built in the 1950s to house flora from damp and shady environments. The greenhouse was covered with wooden slats to allow air to circulate and filter sunlight and is crossed by a walled waterfall and a small stream, favourable conditions for the growth of a unique collection that reflects the evolution of the plant world.

On the way down, a stunning bamboo grove appears, about 1 hectare in size, planted in 1890. Giant bamboo is the dominant species in this forest. Walking through this area, we come across São Bento’s Chapel, a frescoed house that reminds us of the origin of the Garden's land, donated to the University by Benedictine friars. An orchard has also been planted in the forest, with some of the most common fruit trees in Portugal.