The Garden of the Episcopal Palace (or St. John's the Baptist) was built by the Guarda bishop, D. João de Mendonça, about 1720, after his arrival from Rome, where he had lived for three years. Baroque style, the garden was part of a vast and complex agrarian, landscaping and aesthetic unit that used to be designated by "logradouros of the Episcopal Palace of Castelo Branco".

The Palace served as permanent residence for several Guarda bishops and, from 1771 until 1831, those of the newly created Diocese of Castelo Branco. From 1834 various public services were installed in the Palace and the streets then experienced an unprecedented abandonment. In 1919, it is bought and becomes a municipal garden.

In Western culture, the biblical concept of Eden has served as a matrix throughout the ages for numerous garden proposals. Thus, the garden evokes Paradise on earth. In formal terms, the garden is divided into four different places, but connected by several points of articulation: the entrance, the boxwood landing, the flooded garden and the upper plane.

Leaning against the Palace and recalling the early connection with the Garden on the North side there is a stairway of 33 steps (the same years Christ was when he was killed) whose balusters bear the bushes of the four great Doctors of the Western Church: St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Gregory. In intermediate flight there is the bust of Pope Leo. (Adapted from a text by Leonel Azevedo)

Hours: From April to September: 09h00-19h00; Months from October to March 09h00-17h00

Ticket Office:

Adults: 2 €;

Seniors (+ 65): 1 €;

Group (+10): 1 €;

Students and Children under 10: Free

Source: Municipality of Castelo Branco