Jardim do Cabeço das Rolas

Jardim do Cabeço das Rolas is a landscaped garden in Lisbon's Parque das Nações district, on Alameda dos Oceanos. It opened in 1998 on the grounds of the Expo 98 world exhibition. Entry is free, and its quiet greenery offers a contrast to the modern glass-and-concrete architecture around it.

Where does the name Cabeço das Rolas come from?

The name refers to the migratory routes of turtle doves (in Portuguese, "rolas") that passed through this spot. "Cabeço" means a hillock or knoll, so the name translates roughly as "Turtle Dove Hill".

What was here before the garden?

The garden was built on a natural elevation where petroleum-industry tanks once stood. The land belonged to the area of the former Sacor refinery. A large reservoir, originally built to serve the refinery, still exists and now forms part of the Parque das Nações irrigation system. Before Expo 98 the surroundings were a post-industrial zone, which the exhibition project turned into a new district on the Tagus.

Who designed it?

The garden was designed by landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, one of the key figures of Portuguese landscape architecture. Rather than erasing traces of the past, he worked with existing features of the site, including two smaller tanks left from the oil installations.

What can you see in the garden?

• The district's highest point. The hill rises about 33 metres above the Tagus and is the highest spot in Parque das Nações.
• A lake. A water body of roughly 2,500 m² planted with many species of aquatic plants.
• A water garden. Built using the two smaller former tanks.
• Trees and lawns. Orange, cypress, olive and chestnut trees grow here, along with open lawns.

Who is it for?

It is a small, calm space that suits a short rest after exploring the area. It works well for fans of landscape gardens, for anyone interested in the history of Expo 98, and for those who want to see how a former industrial site became public green space. From the higher parts of the garden it is easier to grasp the layout of the surrounding district.

Getting there and when to visit

The garden lies in Parque das Nações in eastern Lisbon, on Alameda dos Oceanos. Take the metro to Oriente station and continue on foot. Entry is free. Daytime is best, when the greenery and the lake are clearly visible, and spring and summer bring the lushest vegetation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jardim do Cabeço das Rolas free to enter? Yes, admission is free.

Who designed the garden? Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, a Portuguese landscape architect.

Why is it called that? After the migratory routes of turtle doves that passed through the place.

How high is the hill? About 33 metres above the Tagus, making it the highest point in Parque das Nações.

Was something else here before? Yes, petroleum-industry tanks linked to the former Sacor refinery stood here.

When was the garden created? It opened in 1998 in connection with Expo 98.