The Parque e Jardim de Serralves, located in the Fundação de Serralves, is one of the largest green spaces in the city of Porto.

Initially, the park, as well as Casa de Serralves, were part of the set of private properties of the 2nd Count of Vizela, Carlos Alberto Cabral. In 1986, with the acquisition of the property by the Portuguese State, the park was opened to the public and the Fundação de Serralves was created.

One of the biggest highlights of the park is the diversity that its arboreal and shrub heritage presents. Overall, there are 8000 types of woody plants, from about 230 species. Some are even in danger of extinction, as the Yew - Taxus baccata. It is also possible to find typical species of the portuguese flora, such as pine-meadow, chestnut, hazel, among others.

The fauna is also present in the Parque de Serralves. There are about 60 species of birds, mammals and amphibians, as well as a large number of invertebrate species. Some examples of the animals that can be found in the park are the yellow-legged salamander, the butterfly-covered or the owl-towers.

Throughout the year, the park hosts events, exhibitions and conferences related to biodiversity. One of the most well-known events is the BioBlitz, already mentioned by NaturPorto, which aims to find and identify as many species as possible in the Parque de Serralves.

For those who wish to submerge into the fauna and flora of the Parque de Serralves, it is possible to access the georeferenced survey of the Park's trees and shrubs and the list of the park's fauna group.

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Author: Jacqueline Ausier