Jardim das Damas

Jardim das Damas is a walled Baroque garden beside the northern facade of the Ajuda National Palace in Lisbon. Laid out with strict geometry and crowned by a viewing terrace over the city and the Tagus, it is one of the calmest corners of the Ajuda district.

What is Jardim das Damas?

It is a small garden of about 0.7 hectares that belongs to the Ajuda Palace complex. It was created as part of the royal residence built on Ajuda hill after the 1755 earthquake, a building popularly known as the "Barraca" (the shack). The garden served as a place of leisure for the ladies of Queen Maria I's court, and its name, "garden of the ladies", refers directly to that purpose.

What does the garden look like?

The design relies on symmetry and central axes. Geometric beds line these axes, edged with clipped boxwood hedges. Water features are woven through the layout: several pools and fountains, plus a monumental cascade. A water mine, an underground gallery, fed them. The terrain slopes steeply, so the garden is split into two platforms linked by steps.

The highlight is the mirante, the viewing terrace. From it you look over Lisbon's rooftops and the Tagus estuary, so bring a camera.

What is its history?

The garden was never finished, yet it stayed in use until 1794. That year a fire destroyed the old royal palace, the timber residence next to it. Afterwards the court no longer lived here and the site gradually lost its purpose. In 1988 the garden was rebuilt and its planting restored, with care taken to preserve the Baroque features of the design.

Why is it different from other Lisbon gardens?

• It keeps the feel of an enclosed court garden, separated from the street by a wall.
• It has a clear Baroque plan with boxwood and water.
• It offers a view of the city and river from one of the few such spots near the palace.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Jardim das Damas? Next to the northern facade of the Ajuda National Palace, in Lisbon's Ajuda district.

Can I visit the garden? For many years it was closed to visitors because it remained a private court garden. Opening hours and access rules change, so check the palace's current information before you go.

How long does a visit take? The garden is small, so a stroll with a stop at the terrace usually takes about half an hour. It pairs well with a tour of the palace itself.

Who is it for? Fans of historic gardens and Baroque design, and anyone seeking a quieter alternative to Lisbon's crowded viewpoints.

Is the garden original? Partly. The layout dates from the period, but after the fire and years of neglect the planting and garden elements were rebuilt in 1988.

Jardim das Damas is a fitting companion to a visit to Ajuda Palace and shows what a royal retreat looked like in Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.