PORTUGAL - Largest Buddha Garden in Europe in located in Portugal. One Hour north of Lisbon

mcoelho813
Oct 13
2 min read

Updated: Oct 14

Buddha garden in Portugal

An Asian peace garden with sculptures, lakes, pagodas, a giant Buddha & terracotta soldiers. This is home to the largest oriental garden in Europe, the impressive Bacalhôa Buddha Eden.

Address: Quinta dos Loridos, 2540-420, Portugal

Admission: €3.00 per adult, €4.00 train ride, children under 12 free.

Location of the Buddha Gardens

Only an hour north of Lisbon, and 15 minutes from Obidos, in a small rural town, is a beautifully managed garden intended as “a place for reconciliation.” Buddha Eden is 86 acres of natural fields, lakes, manicured gardens, contemporary sculpture…and Buddhist statuary! There are over 6,000 tons of marble and granite used to build this monumental work.

Why were the Gardens built in Portugal?

The gardens are fairly new. In 2001, a wealthy Portuguese investor. José Berardo was shocked by the Taliban government’s destruction of the Giant Buddhas in Afghanistan. This inspired him to recreate a tribute and place for peaceful relaxation in Portugal. Berardo initiated the Buddha Eden in homage to the cultural and spiritual monuments. Six tons of marble Buddhas and figures were installed throughout the garden. Walkways, piers, and gazebos provide access to areas for pondering or meditating. An additional display is a cobalt blue, unique copy of the “terracotta army” buried in China some 2,200 years ago.

The non-profit Berardo Foundation manages the Buddha facility with the mission to create a space for all people regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, or social standing. This peaceful place is needed more now than ever.