Monsanto Forest Park

The Parque Florestal de Monsanto is a wooded park in the west of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. With an area of ​​over 800 hectares it is the largest green space in the city.

General

The area extends over the Serra de Monsanto, a hilly area to the west adjoins the built-up city center. From this, the park is separated by the expressway IP7/E1. The south of the park is crossed by the A5 leading to Estoril and Cascais.

About 16 hectares of the land are fenced, where various species of animals. In addition, there are usable space for permanent exhibitions and concerts.

History

Originally, the area was used for intensive agriculture, which led to the disappearance of entire vegetation and large-scale erosion. As in the 1930s, more and more areas have been designated as building land, the politician Duarte Pacheco took up the idea that practically bald Serra de Monsanto reforest. 1934, the new Monsanto Park along with some sports and recreational facilities established under the leadership of the architect Francisco Keil do Amaral. Monsanto Park is also the name of a race course within the park, where from 1954 to 1959 were numerous races, including the Grand Prix of Portugal in 1959 in Formula 1, discharged.

Pictures

Marking a historic equestrian path

Ruins of a mill

Former quarry