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Santa Cruz Park (Jardim da Sereia)

Baroque garden of the former Convent of Santa Cruz, laid out by Friar Gaspar da Encarnação between 1723 and 1752, in the time of John V, as a place of contemplation. After the dissolution of the religious orders it passed through several private owners, and in 1885 the city council bought the Quinta de Santa Cruz and opened it to the public. It has been protected as a property of public interest since 1970 and was restored in 2005. The entrance opens onto Praça da República, next to the university, and is crowned by three statues representing Faith, Charity and Hope. Inside are laurel-lined avenues, lakes and ponds, fountains on both sides of the central sculpture, azulejo panels, an enclosure for the game of péla and the Fonte da Nogueira, made of limestone concretions from natural caves.

Things to do at Santa Cruz Park (Jardim da Sereia): 3 missions

• Stroll along the laurel avenuesWalk one of the laurel-lined avenues to the ponds and fountains in the centre.
• Look for the three statues of the entrance portalAt the entrance from Praça da República, identify the three statues representing Faith, Charity and Hope.
• Find the limestone Fonte da NogueiraFind the fountain made from limestone concretions from natural caves and look at its texture.

Near Santa Cruz Park (Jardim da Sereia)

Source: Wikipedia - Jardim da Sereia