Attraction Guide: Terra Nostra Garden, Furnas, Portugal

Terra Nostra Garden Guide

A Botanical Paradise: Immerse Yourself in Terra Nostra Garden Guide

Terra Nostra Garden, located in Furnas on São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, is a world-renowned botanical garden that offers a unique and immersive experience. This lush oasis features a vast collection of plants from around the globe, thermal pools, and meticulously landscaped gardens. It's a perfect place to relax, explore, and appreciate the beauty of nature. The garden was originally created in 1775 by Thomas Hickling, the American consul in São Miguel. He built a summer residence and began planting trees and shrubs from various countries. Over the years, the garden has been expanded and developed, now boasting one of the most extensive collections of camellias in the world, as well as a diverse range of other exotic plants. The iconic thermal pool, with its distinctive orange-brown water, is a central feature of the garden. Visitors can stroll through the garden's winding paths, admiring the diverse flora and fauna. The highlight for many is the large thermal pool, rich in iron and other minerals, which is said to have therapeutic properties. There are also smaller thermal pools and jacuzzis available. The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, located within the garden, offers a restaurant serving traditional *cozido das Furnas*, cooked using the volcanic heat of the area.