From antiquity to modern times

The ancient civilizations

Strictly arranged geometrically and delimited with hedges or stones, the ancient Egyptians defied valuable land from nature. Primarily fruit trees and vines were planted in these gardens. In Greece, the parcels that were also fenced in were smaller. The repertoire of well-tended plants is more diverse: In addition to apples, figs, wine and olives, vegetables are also grown. In the vicinity of a holy spring, there were often tree groves, which served as the first pleasure gardens for recreation.

The gardens in ancient Rome combined the elements of ornament and nutrition. Among other things, medicinal herbs for personal use were cultivated in them. Roman gardens, with their lush greenery, benefited from a reliable, unprecedented water supply.

The legendary Persian gardens

The Persian king and general Cyrus II the Great had a garden paradise built for himself in each of his numerous palaces as a private place of rest, but also as a symbol of his power. In you the play of light and shadow in connection with water, colorful seas of flowers, carefully designed hedges and palm trees has been perfected.

The garden under Charlemagne

When Charlemagne had the “Capitulare de villis” put on, he brought the agricultural use of the gardens back to the fore. As a result, previously unknown types of fruit and vegetables are cultivated in the medieval monastery gardens. The intensive occupation with the medicinal plants and aromatic herbs also grown here brings *Healers like the nun Hildegard von Bingen* whose findings are still valid today.

Stroll in the Renaissance and Baroque gardens

In the 15. Century the garden becomes the entrance of the house, which through

• Stairs,
• Axis away
• blooming borders

invites you to take a stroll. This well thought-out form of investment increased even more in the baroque period. A famous example are the gardens of Versailles, which in their size and beauty represent a symbol of the power and wealth of the absolutist ruler.

Enlightenment supporters want to free the garden from the strict human regulations. Elevations, freely growing trees and spacious lawns, which are criss-crossed by watercourses, are characteristic of the English-style facilities.

The Modern Age

In the 19th In the 19th century, the gardens became an overall concept that incorporated both ecological and agricultural and forestry aspects. The first allotment gardens are being built in Leipzig, making it possible for citizens to escape from the cramped apartments. At the same time, the small parcels are used for self-sufficiency with fresh fruit and vegetables.