Buçaco

This area is a true oasis, a place where history and exotic botany weaves together under a dense canopy.

The story of Buçaco begins with the Discalced Carmelites monks, who enclosed the area in the 17th century to create a "Desert", dedicated to contemplation. They planted thousands of species from around the world, creating a unique arboretum where towering sequoias, giant ferns, and native oaks grow alongside each other in a microclimate often shrouded in a captivating mist. A Papal Bull even threatened excommunication for anyone who dared to damage its trees.

At the heart of this forest stands the majestic Palace Hotel do Buçaco, a fantastic New-Manueline structure that once served as a royal hunting lodge. It sits adjacent to the humble remnants of the monks Convent os Santa Cruz. The area is crisscrossed by tranquil walking paths, including the famous Via Sacra (Way of the Cross), which leads to the high viewpoint of Cruz Alta for panoramic views over the surrounding region. Buçaco is a powerful place of quiet reverence, natural beauty, and historical gravity, having also been the site of major battle against Napoleon's forces in 1810.