BUÇACO

Part ancient woodland, part arboretum, the National Forest of Buçaco is a
magic place. As early as the 6th century it was a monastic retreat, and in
1628 the Carmelites built a house here, walling in the forest to keep the
world at bay (women had already been banned by the pope in 1622). In their
secluded forest the monks established contemplative walks, chapels – and
trees. The trees, added to by Portuguese explorers, gained papal protection
in 1632, and the 105 ha (260 acres) contain some 700 native and exotic
species, including the venerable “Buçaco cedar”. The peace of the forest was
disturbed in 1810 as British and Portuguese troops fought the French on
Buçaco ridge. In 1834 the monastery closed, but the forest endures, with its
shady walks, hermits’ grottoes and the astonishing Palace Hotel Bussaco at
its centre.

MONASTERY

  • Sat–Thu.

FOREST

  • daily.

  • for vehicles
    (May–Oct).

MUSEU MILITAR
  • Almas do Encarnadouro.
  • Tel: 231 939 310.

  • closed for
    refurbishment.

  • 27 Sep: Anniversary
    of Battle of Buçaco



Vale dos Fetos.

Leading down to a small lake, the Valley of Ferns is lined with luxuriant specimens collected worldwide. The magnificent tree ferns give the valley a tropical air.

PALACE HOTEL BUSSACO

King Carlos, who commissioned this extravaganza in 1888, never lived to see
his creation. His son, Manuel II, visited only briefly before his exile in
1910 – he is said to have brought the French actress, Gaby Deslys, here for
a romantic interlude. Its rebirth as a luxury hotel, serving its own
renowned wines, was the inspiration of the royal chef and it became a
fashionable rendezvous for socialites; in World War II it was also rumoured
to be frequented by spies. It is now one of the great hotels of
Portugal.



Palace Hotel Bussaco

Completed in 1907, the Neo-Manueline folly of a hunting lodge built by
Luigi Manini includes murals and tiles by prominent artists. Azulejos  in the hall feature scenes of the Battle of
Buçaco.

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