Respect the Agaves and Help Us Preserve Our Heritage

When visiting the parks and monuments managed by Parques de Sintra, take time to admire their beauty – but never interfere with this unique and irreplaceable heritage. In the Park of Monserrate, some visitors have treated the leaves of agaves as canvases, carving personal or symbolic messages into them. This behaviour not only damages the visual integrity of the plants, but also hinders their physiological function and can ultimately threaten their survival. Agaves rely on their leaves for photosynthesis and water retention, making them essential to the plant’s health.

The Agave americana is a species of considerable botanical value. Its striking natural beauty and imposing presence play a key role in the landscape of the Park of Monserrate, where it forms part of the extraordinary collection of exotic plants that make this historic garden a remarkable example of 19th-century Romantic landscape design. Introduced in the spirit of botanical experimentation that characterised the creation of the park – conceived almost as an open-air laboratory – these plants, native to the Americas, are notable for their sculptural form, resilience, and ability to thrive in poor soils, making them both scientifically and ornamentally valuable.

Carving into the leaves of agaves (or any other plants), scratching tree bark, picking flowers, or trampling flowerbeds are examples of behaviour that harm the botanical and aesthetic value of the Park of Monserrate. These actions also diminish the experience of other visitors and endanger this precious natural heritage.

The beauty of Monserrate should be enjoyed with care, respect, and responsibility – not only to protect nature, but also to safeguard the history and natural heritage of Sintra for generations to come.