2-370-952 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

John II, Stairs of the Kings, Garden of the Episcopal Palace, Castelo Branco, Portugal, 2009. The Baroque Garden of St John the Baptist formed part of a vast aesthetic and agricultural landscape, commonly known as the Public Park of the Episcopal Palace of Castelo Branco. The garden has a Renaissance plan with Baroque decoration. It is next to the Bishop's palace and was laid out by Bishop Joao de Mendonca in the 18th century, with many statues of saints and apostles. The garden is formally divided into distinct but connected areas: the boxwood terrace, the pond garden and the upper section. The Steps of the Kings are flanked by statues of the Kings of Portugal from Afonso I to Jose I. John (Joao) II ruled from 1481 until 1495. He was known as 'the Perfect Prince'.