About this place
Jardim 9 de Abril is a public garden in Lisbon's Estrela parish, also known as Jardim das Albertas and Jardim da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos. Next to it lies the Miradouro da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos viewpoint, which offers a panorama over the Tagus river.
Why does the garden have three names?
Each name points to a different chapter in the story of the place.
Jardim das Albertas refers to the former Convento das Albertas, a convent of Carmelite nuns. It was founded in 1584 through the initiative of Archduke Albert, and the garden occupies ground linked to that old foundation.
Jardim da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos is a topographical name. The garden was laid out on a rocky hillside called Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, which also gave its name to the nearby viewing terrace.
Jardim 9 de Abril is today's official name. It honours the Portuguese soldiers who fought in the First World War. On 9 April 1918, Portuguese troops stood in the path of a major German offensive against the Allied lines, the start of the Battle of La Lys. The name was assigned by a municipal resolution on 9 December 1924.
What should you know before visiting?
The garden is open to the public and sits in the Estrela district, in the western part of central Lisbon. In 1950 the landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles drew up a project for arranging part of the garden. It is a good example of an urban green space that combines history with a view over the river.
What is nearby?
The most notable buildings around the garden are the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, housed where the Albertas convent once stood, and the Palácio dos Condes de Óbidos. A visit to the garden pairs naturally with the museum, one of Portugal's major art collections.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to Jardim 9 de Abril paid? No. It is a public city garden open to everyone.
Can you see the river from the garden? Yes. The Miradouro da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, beside the garden, looks out over the Tagus.
Why is it called 9 de Abril? The name commemorates Portuguese soldiers of the First World War and the start of the Battle of La Lys on 9 April 1918.
What was the garden called before? It is also known as Jardim das Albertas (after the Carmelite convent founded in 1584) and Jardim da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos (after the rocky hillside).
Who designed part of the garden? Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles prepared a project in 1950 for arranging part of the grounds.
In short
Jardim 9 de Abril is a calm corner of Lisbon with layered history: a Carmelite convent, a rocky hill and the memory of soldiers in 1918. If you are exploring around the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, take a moment to stroll through the garden and step onto the nearby terrace above the Tagus.
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