Jardim da Luz (Garden of Light), Sao Paulo

The Luz neighborhood in Sao Paulo is renowned for its abundant outdoor green spaces, and among them stands Garden of Light (Jardim da Luz). Originally established as a botanical garden under the auspices of the Portuguese Crown Royal Order in November 1798, this park opened its gates to the public in 1825, becoming the very first public garden in Sao Paulo.

In its early years, it struggled to gain popularity, and a significant portion of its land was eventually allocated to various purposes, such as railway construction, the College Prudente de Morais, and the School of Arts and Crafts. As a result, the garden now spans an area of 113,400 square meters.

However, it was not until the tenure of João Teodoro, the president of the province of Sao Paulo from 1872 to 1875, that the park began to attract attention and visitors. A pivotal addition he made was an astronomical observatory, which drew numerous people to the garden. Later, during the period of 1899 to 1910, Sao Paulo's mayor Antonio Prado undertook further renovations, enhancing the park with pavements, benches, and gazebos.

Today, Jardim da Luz offers a diverse array of attractions for tourists to enjoy. Notable features include an underground aquarium, established in 2000, and the picturesque Lake Maltese Cross, adorned with eight exquisite sculptures symbolizing the seasons of the year. Additionally, the park boasts an open-air museum where visitors can delve into the rich history of the city's oldest park.