Sintra displayed an extensive collection of camellias and recognized outstanding specimens with awards

Over the weekend of 28 February and 1 March, Sintra was adorned with camellias and celebrated the beauty and diversity of the flower that brightens the winter season. Returning to the forecourt of the National Palace of Sintra, the 13th Camellia Exhibition brought together 14 exhibitors who, among species and cultivars, displayed more than two hundred and fifty sets of camellia specimens, totalling over 2,000 flowers. The event, with free admission, attracted a large number of visitors and also included free activities, such as guided tours of the exhibition and themed workshops.

On Saturday, 28 February, the opening session was presided over by João Sousa Rego, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra, and attended by Marco Almeida, Mayor of Sintra. João Sousa Rego highlighted the return of the event to the historic centre of the town and emphasised that the exhibition brings together ‘some of the most significant camellia collections from Sintra’s historic estates and gardens, as well as from other regions of the country.’ The event is also a competition that distinguishes ‘the most beautiful specimens, both of national origin, namely from Sintra, and from regions as distant as Japan’, he added.

This year, the award for ‘Best Camellia on display’ was given to Camellia japonica ‘Alba plena’ from Parque da Liberdade, under the management of Municipal Council of Sintra. Camellia japonica ‘Taça de Formosura Rosea’, from Quinta Amazónia in Santo Tirso, was considered the ‘Best camellia species on display’; while the prize for ‘Best Portuguese camellia cultivar on display’ was awarded to Camellia japonica ‘Duarte de Oliveira,’ from Casa da Levada, in Vila Nova de Gaia. The Camellia reticulata hybrid ‘Sengjie’ from Park Flavius in Guimarães, was elected ‘Best Camellia reticulata on display’. Quinta do Relógio, in Sintra, won the award for ‘Best collection of camellias on display’.

The awards were decided by a jury composed of João Sousa Rego, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra; Teresa Chambel, Vice-President of the Associação de Jardins Históricos and representing the Associação Portuguesa de Camélias as an honorary member; Carolina Carvalho, Technical Director for Natural Heritage at Parques de Sintra; António Nunes Pereira, Director of the Palaces managed by Parques de Sintra; and Alice Carapeto, a professional gardener at Municipal Council of Sintra, with 30 years of service dedicated to the camellia collection at Parque da Liberdade.

The programme for this edition included guided tours of the exhibition and themed workshops on ‘Pruning and propagation of camellias’, ‘Pastry and beverage inspired by camellia’ (by the Escola de Hotelaria de Colares) and ‘Cacimba gin cocktail based on camellia’. In total, around 150 people took part in these activities. At the exhibition venue, visitors also found stalls selling products related to this emblematic flower.

This true celebration of camellias will continue over the coming weekends with a series of guided visits led by specialists to some of Sintra’s historic gardens, essential references for understanding the introduction, acclimatisation and appreciation of camellias within Sintra’s botanical heritage. The dates and locations are as follows:

Saturday, 7 March | 2:30 p.m.: Parque da Liberdade

Sunday, 8 March | 2:30 p.m.: Villa Sassetti

Saturday, 14 March | 2:30 p.m.: Quinta do Relógio

Sunday, 15 March | 2:30 p.m.: Chalet Biester

Saturday, 21 March | 11:30 a.m.: Park of Pena

Saturday, 21 March | 2:30 p.m.: Quinta da Regaleira

Participation in this programme of parallel visits is subject to prior registration (via a form available on the Parques de Sintra website) and payment of €5 per participant — a single fee granting access to one or more visits and contributing to the replanting of camellias in the collections of historic gardens managed by Parques de Sintra. At the time of registration, participants select the visit or visits they wish to attend.

The visits may be complemented by two optional gastronomic experiences, subject to booking: the ‘Camellia Tea’ at Valverde Palácio de Seteais and the ‘Wine & Cheese Gathering’ at Sintra Marmòris Palace.