Fig trees
Deep shade.
Lyssuel Calvet from São Luis, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · clecio muller frança leal — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ciriice — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ciriice — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ciriice — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Prburley — CC BY 4.0 · clecio muller frança leal — CC BY-SA 4.0
Praça Benedito Leite is a tree-lined square in the historic centre of São Luís that has borne several names over its history, among them «Largo do João Velho», «Praça da Assembleia» and the «13 de Maio Public Garden», and has been listed by the national heritage institute since 1955. In 1804 the Portuguese government ordered a botanical garden on its ground, then occupied by shacks, but work was halted to strengthen the province's forts during the war between France and Portugal. In 1820 the provincial governor Bernardo Pinto da Silveira turned the old square into a fine garden, whose first large trees were planted in 1848 and replanted in 1887. In 1906, under governor Benedito Leite, the engineer Anísio Palhano de Jesus drew up a landscape plan with Benjamin fig trees in a garden of twelve sections. Today the huge fig trees give the square deep shade, a good break on a walk between the Palácio dos Leões and the tiled buildings of the historic centre. Visit by day.
Deep shade.
Nearby.
Tiled buildings.
Historic centre, São Luís
Historic Centre of São LuísThe historic centre of São Luís, capital of Maranhão, is one of Brazil's largest2 minutes walk4.1
Praça João LisboaPraça João Lisboa is one of the oldest squares in São Luís, capital of Maranhão,3 minutes walk
Teatro Arthur AzevedoTeatro Arthur Azevedo, in the historic centre of São Luís, is the second-oldest 3 minutes walk4.9
Palácio dos Leões (Lions' Palace)The Palácio dos Leões is the seat of Maranhão's state government, on the headlan3 minutes walk4.7
Historical and Artistic Museum of MaranhãoThe Historical and Artistic Museum of Maranhão occupies the Solar Gomes de Souza5 minutes walk4.6In the engineer Anísio Palhano de Jesus's 1906 plan, under governor Benedito Leite.