Around 150 years old, 35 meters high and 15 meters in trunk perimeter, Figueira dos Amores was elected Tree of the Year 2025 and will now represent Portugal in the European competition “Tree of the Year”promoted by Union of the Mediterranean Forest (UNAC). Located in the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas, in Coimbra, this ficus macrophylla (Australian Fig) was planted by an aristocrat, a tree collector, in the 19th century, as part of a seed exchange with the Sydney Botanical Gardens.
Today, it describes the Inês de Castro Foundationwhich manages the immense green area of Quinta das Lágrimas, “is a living heritage of the gardens and an attraction of this place of worship of Love, being visited by thousands of people, who are enchanted by the size and beauty of its branches, trunk and roots” . Added to this “magnificent” tree is great mysticism, in part associated with the history and legends associated with the scene of the tragic love between King D. Pedro of Portugal and Dona Inês de Castro. In fact, the tree is located at the famous Fonte dos Amores.
Figueira dos Amores, Tree of the Year 2025
Hugo Pinheiro / Inês de Castro Foundation
According to the Inês de Castro Foundation, in the Quinta das Lágrimas gardens, memories have accumulated since the 14th century, both in the built elements, “as well as in its trees, in its popular legends and in its true history”. The place is mentioned in 1326, the year in which Queen Santa Isabel ordered the construction of a canal to take water from two springs to the neighboring Convent of Santa Clara. “The place where the water came from was called ‘Fonte dos Amores’, because it witnessed the passion of D. Pedro, grandson of the Holy Queen, for Inês de Castro. The other fountain on the Quinta was named ‘Fonte das Lágrimas’ by Camões, as it was born from the tears that Inês cried when she was murdered. Inês’ blood would have remained stuck to the bed’s rocks, still red after 650 years…”, it is noted in the presentation of the space. Initially known as Quinta do Pombal, it was the reference in the work “Os Lusíadas”, which immortalized the place as Quinta das Lágrimas.
The gardens began to be restored in 2006, by landscape architect Cristina Castel-Branco. A medieval garden is recreated, the forest walls, the Amores and Lágrimas canals are restored, vegetation curtains are planted, a redwood avenue, and a Japanese garden inside the Quinta das Lágrimas hotel, and the Colina de Camões amphitheater is built , stage for several cultural initiatives, with emphasis on the Arts Festival. The Quinta das Lágrimas gardens can be visited daily, from Tuesday to Sunday (from €3) and are part of the Route of Historic Gardens of Portugal.
Facade of the Quinta das Lágrimas hotel
Romantic charming hotel
Awarded several times, the Quinta das Lágrimas hotel, in Coimbra, is advertised as “a retreat of comfort and peace in an 18th century palace surrounded by 12 hectares of historic gardens”, which adds to the romantic atmosphere that surrounds the place. He was distinguished in 2023 with the award “Merit 20 Years”as this hotel has been present in all editions of the Boa Cama Boa Mesa Guide since 2003, having won the Golden Key 13 times. THE Quinta das Lágrimas (Rua António Augusto Gonçalves, Coimbra. Tel. 239802380), opened in 1995, is described by Guia Boa Cama Boa Mesa, as “a reference in the national hotel industry since the moment it opened its doors”.
Quinta das Lágrimas
It has 55 rooms (from €170), divided between the contemporary wing (Spa and Garden), and the palace, which stands out for its classic architecture and decoration, but also for its numerous rooms and balconies. With thousands of old books, which help tell the story of Portugal and the Júdice family, it is lined with exotic wood panels and is an emblematic place. When it comes to accommodation, a must-see is the “King’s Suite”, a journey back in time to the time when D. Manuel I visited the farm, and the “Pedro & Inês Suite”, which takes advantage of the old medieval turret. The walls of the contemporary wing invite you to read romantic literary passages.
Arcadas Restaurant
The entire surrounding area is a plant museum, with a world-class collection of gardens, from romantic to Japanese, medieval and organic gardens. Equal importance deserves the Arcadas restaurant, led by Vítor Dias, which in 2010, and in the following two years, boasted the first Michelin stars in the Central region. “Six moments mark the most recent tasting menu, created by Vítor Dias, for this restaurant. “Tuna, crispy rice, kimchi and seaweed dashi”, “Lobster with coconut, pancetta, watercress and fermented pear” and “Cabrito with carqueja, mushrooms and persimmon pickles”, in addition to “O Chocolate”, with 70%, hazelnut praline and coffee are the highlights. There is also the option to choose the menu and pair it with selected wines”, can be read in the Boa Cama Boa Mesa 2024 Guide.
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Source: expresso.pt
