Mata Nacional do Bussaco

In a landscape of singular beauty, in the heart of the municipality of Mealhada, stands a truly monumental garden, captivated by the richness of the place, considered by many to be unique in the world, where the colors of nature and the rays of sunlight piercing the trees blend in the prevailing silence - the Bussaco National Forest. Commissioned by the Order of Discalced Carmelites in the 17th century, in seclusion and contemplation for over 200 years, the space impresses with the number of plant species it houses, over 700, from all over the world, such as firs, sequoias, limes, elms, laurels, beeches, rhododendrons, giant ferns, acacias, and ash trees, with the Buçaco cedar being the most important native species. The highest point, Cruz Alta, is located at 550 meters. In the heart of the Mata lies a jewel of Portuguese architecture and history, the Palace Hotel of Buçaco, once the residence of kings. The Convent of Santa Cruz do Buçaco is unique in Portugal, with its church located between four courtyards that form a sort of cloister. The chapels, the hermitages, and the reconstruction of the 20 steps of the Stations of the Cross are also part of the Mata Nacional's vast religious heritage.
The Buçaco Military Museum and the Obelisk, which allude to the Battle of Buçaco fought in that mountain range in 1810, represent part of the Mata Nacional's cultural heritage, absolutely fundamental to the local identity.
Throughout the forest, along the trails, visitors encounter truly magical places, such as the idyllic Fonte Fria or the admirable Vale dos Fetos, which confirm the incomparable beauty of the Mata Nacional do Buçaco and demonstrate why time has a very special meaning here.