Jardim Olavo Bilac

Jardim Olavo Bilac is a small historic garden in Lisbon's Estrela parish, right next to the Necessidades Palace. It is also known as Jardim do Largo das Necessidades, the garden of Necessidades Square. For visitors it is a quiet stop with a view over the Tagus, away from the busiest parts of Lisbon.

Where is Jardim Olavo Bilac?

The garden lies in Lisbon, in the Estrela parish, on Largo das Necessidades. It sits beside the Necessidades Palace, in front of the entrance to the palace chapel. That position gives the place its character: it is not an isolated square but part of a wider setting tied to the palace and the nearby Tapada das Necessidades park.

Why is it named after Olavo Bilac?

The current name honours Olavo Bilac, a Brazilian writer and one of the most popular poets of his country. The garden was named in his tribute, which is why descriptions of the site use two names: the first is the poet's, the second points to the square where the garden stands. It is worth searching for both on maps and in guidebooks.

What is the history of the garden?

The garden dates from the mid-18th century. According to available sources, its design is attributed to the architect Manuel Caetano de Sousa and the construction date is given as 1747; some accounts mention an order from King John V as early as 1745. The leisure space came into being together with the Necessidades Palace and served from the start as a viewpoint over the Tagus.

What is there to see?

• Chafariz das Necessidades – a baroque ornamental lake built on the orders of John V in the 18th century. Sources link it to a royal vow made to the Virgin Mary, born of the king's devotion.
• A view of the Tagus – the garden works as a miradouro, a viewpoint over the river.
• Playground – there is a children's playground, so the spot suits a walk with a family.
• The chapel and Necessidades Palace – the garden sits directly in front of the palace chapel entrance, so a visit is easy to combine with looking around the area.

Is it worth visiting?

Jardim Olavo Bilac is small, so it does not need much time. It suits a short break while exploring Estrela: sit down, look at the baroque lake, glance at the river and move on, for example to the neighbouring Tapada das Necessidades park. The place combines 18th-century history, a Portuguese-Brazilian link in its name and the everyday life of the neighbourhood.

Frequently asked questions

Are Jardim Olavo Bilac and Jardim do Largo das Necessidades the same place? Yes. They are two names for the same garden: one honours the poet, the other refers to Necessidades Square.

Who is the garden named after? Olavo Bilac, a Brazilian writer and poet, among the most popular in his country.

When was the garden created? Sources point to the mid-18th century; the project is dated 1747 and attributed to Manuel Caetano de Sousa.

Is there a playground? Yes, the garden has a children's playground.

What is the Chafariz das Necessidades? A baroque ornamental lake from the time of John V, linked to a royal vow made to the Virgin Mary.