Portugal - Desert of the Discalced Carmelites and Built Ensemble of the Palace-Hotel in Bussaco

"Located at Aveiro’s District, Municipality of Mealhada, Civil Parish of Luso, at 40° 33’ N and 8° 28’ (O) “W”at the “northwestern” extreme of Bussaco’s mountain range, the “Desert of the Discalced Carmelites and Built Ensemble of the Palace-Hotel in Bussaco” develops between 250 and 560 meters and exposes up mainly towards north. The enclosed surface has an area of about 105 hectares, “Vale do Sacramento” at north and “Vale do Carregal” at south, bordered in the north by “Costa do Sol” and in the south by “Costa do Sacramento”. Both valleys are separated by a slight peak, adding up at “Fonte Fria” and shaping “Vale dos Fetos”. Geologically speaking it is referred to as “synclinal do Bussaco”. Besides its sharp terrain, this landscape features natural characteristics such as exuberant vegetation and several river courses. Characterized by atmospheric humidity (typical of its micro climate), it has an annual rainfall of c. 1500mm and very frequent and dense fog, especially during Summer and Autumn. The landscape unit (National Forest) is completely walled with several gateways throughout its wide perimeter of 1450m long and 950m wide. Through those gateways, one can reach the luxuriant woodland and at its core one will find the church as part of the Discalced Carmelite’s Convent, as well as a variety of religious buildings and a monumental palace. Bussaco’s cultural landscape is prior to the construction of the only “Desert” built by the Discalced Carmelites Order in Portugal, between 1628 and 1630. Since 6th century, there has been human intervention over nature, made by the Monks of Vacariça Monastery (located 5 km away). We must refer the amazing botanical and scenic heritage of “Mata Nacional do Bussaco”, mainly due to its huge centenary trees. Among them, the Cupressus lusitannica Miller species (aka Cedro do Bussaco), originally from Mexico and Guatemala mountains, has become the ex-libris of the Forest, due to its ancient origin, adaptation ability, high number and oversized examples."
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


Mata da Bussaco fundacao - Bussaco National Forest. Thanks to Joao of Portugal.