Portugal is known for its historic landmarks, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. It is also the home of Europe’s largest Asian garden: Bacalhoa Buddha Eden. The garden is located in Quinta dos Loridos Portugal just an hour from Lisbon and 15 minutes from Obidos.

A Portuguese and South African businessman, art collector, and investor created the Garden of Peace sanctuary in response to the Taliban’s destruction of Afghanistan’s Buddhist statues and cultural treasurers that had stood for centuries.  

Bacalhoa Buddha Eden as the Garden of Peace and Contemplation

Upon entering the Garden’s gates, you immediately get a feel of the Garden’s tranquility. The beauty of nature and art surround you as you explore the 86 acres of lush greenery, tranquil ponds and meandering paths. all waiting to be explored.

The Art

Integrated throughout the Garden is more than 200 mostly Eastern and Eastern-inspired sculptures into a quintessentially Portuguese landscapes of cork and olive trees. While a few sculptures are hundreds of years old, most are contemporary. Hidden along the paths is art from Crespo, Rodin, Vhils, Botero and others.

The garden also contains more than 100 cobalt blue-painted replicas of Xian’s famous Terracotta Warriors.

The Buddhas

The Gardens contain the Continent’s largest collection of buddhas. Look up at the 70-foot tall giant Buddha. Or stroll by the huge reclining Buddha. Several golden buddhas and hundreds of smaller cast Buddhas are aesthetically scattered among tree groves and along streams.

African Sculptures

A large section of the garden is devoted to contemporary African and African-inspired sculptures. A number of these are scenically situated along a winding path through pretty bamboo groves and in another grove of palm trees. Then, somewhat incongruously, there are hundreds of sculptures of all types of African animals form monkeys and meerkats to full-scale elephants, rhinos and giraffes.

Thai pagodas, Japanese lanterns, and contemplative Buddha statues, each contributing to the garden’s ethereal charm.

Bacalhoa Vineyards

As the gardens are set in the midst of Bacalhoa vineyards, the gift shop hosts a wine tasting and sells wines. While the wines are primarily from Bacalao, it also spotlights a few neighboring wine regions.