Library of the Swiss monastery St. Gall was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. About 2,000 medieval manuscripts are stored here, but only one of them prompted the library to be included in the UNESCO list - the earliest plan of a medieval monastery that has survived to this day. Here he is: 
Created in 819-826, the unique plan has been perfectly preserved to this day. Its purpose is still a mystery. As experts suggest, most likely, he was not a fixation of the real state of affairs in the monastery, but some kind of ideal model to follow. There are 333 inscriptions on the plan, which make it possible to identify in detail all parts of the monastery: the cathedral, garden, school, services, etc. 
On this copy of the plan, all the "garden" parts of the monastery are marked:
X - a garden, "under" which is the gardener's house, Y - an orchard combined with a cemetery, Z - a garden of medicinal plants.
Thanks to the inscriptions, we can find out what grew in each of them.
in the garden medicinal plants- sage, watercress, rue, cumin, iris, lovage, pennyroyal, fennel, peas, marsilia, costo (?), fenegreca (?), rosemary, mint, lilies and roses.
AT orchard- apples, pears, plums, mistletoe, laurel, chestnut, figs, quince, peaches, hazelnuts, amendelarius (?), mulberries and walnuts.
Juniper grew in the courtyard, enclosed by an arcade, adjoining the cathedral (cloister), divided by paths into four parts.
And on this wonderful site http://www.stgallplan.org/en/index.html you can see the smallest details of the plan and read (using decoding and English translation) all 333 inscriptions! And of course, learn a lot more about the plan of the monastery of St. Gall.
At the end of the IV century. the brilliant era of antiquity with its sciences, art, architecture ended its existence, giving way to new era- feudalism. The period of time spanning a millennium between the fall of Rome (end of the 4th century) and the Renaissance in Italy (14th century) is called the Middle Ages, or the era of the Middle Ages. It was the time of the formation of European states, constant internecine wars and uprisings, the time of the establishment of Christianity.
In the history of architecture, the Middle Ages are divided into three periods: early medieval (IV-IX centuries), Romanesque (X-XII centuries), Gothic (late XII-XIV centuries). Change architectural styles does not significantly affect park construction, since during this period garden art, which is the most vulnerable of all types of art and more than others requires a peaceful environment for its existence, stops its development. It exists in the form small gardens at monasteries and castles, i.e., in territories relatively protected from destruction.
The period of the Middle Ages, which lasted almost a thousand years, did not leave exemplary gardens, did not create its own gothic style garden architecture. A gloomy, harsh religion has left its mark on the life of peoples Western Europe and dulled the joy of perceiving the beauty expressed in gardens with beautiful flowers.
Gardens at first began to appear only in monasteries. The fundamental principle and model of all gardens, according to Christian ideas, is paradise, a garden planted by God, sinless, holy, abundant with everything that a person needs, with all kinds of trees, plants, and inhabited by animals living peacefully with each other. This original paradise is surrounded by a fence behind which God drove Adam and Eve after their fall. Therefore, the main "significant" feature garden of paradise- its protection; the garden is most often referred to as "hortus conclusus" ("enclosed garden"). The next indispensable and most characteristic feature of paradise in the ideas of all times was the presence in it of everything that can bring joy not only to the eye, but also to hearing, smell, taste, touch - all human feelings. Flowers fill paradise with colors and fragrance. Fruits serve not only as a decoration, equal to flowers, but also delight the palate. Birds not only fill the garden with singing, but also decorate it with their colorful appearance, etc.
monastery garden- its layout and plants in it were endowed with allegorical symbols. The idea of a possible re-creation of the Garden of Eden on earth has been born ever since monasteries arose, shelters from earthly vanity. The garden, separated by walls from sin and the intervention of dark forces, has become a symbol of the Garden of Eden. Later, with the spread of the cult of the Mother of God in Catholic Europe, the garden became an allegory of the Virgin Mary, a symbol of her purity and virginity.
As a rule, monastic courtyards, enclosed in a rectangle of monastic buildings, adjoined the south side of the church.
The monastery yard, usually square, was divided by narrow paths crosswise into four square parts (which had symbolic meaning- the cross formed by the paths was supposed to remind of the torment of Christ). In the center, at the intersection of paths, a well, a fountain, a small reservoir for aquatic plants and watering the garden, washing or drinking water. The fountain was also a symbol - a symbol of the purity of faith, inexhaustible grace or the "tree of life" - a paradise tree - a small orange or apple tree, and a cross was also installed or a rose bush was planted. Every detail in the monastery gardens had a symbolic meaning to remind the monks of the basics of divine economy and Christian virtues.
Often a small pond was arranged in the monastery garden, where fish were bred for fast days. This small garden in the courtyard of the monastery he usually had small trees- fruit or ornamental and flowers. A small orchard inside the monastery courtyard was a symbol of paradise. It often included the monastery cemetery.
By purpose, the gardens were divided into apothecary gardens with all kinds of herbs and medicinal plants, kitchen gardens With vegetable crops for the needs of the monastery and orchards .
Monasteries at that time were, perhaps, the only place where medical care both monks and pilgrims. The cultivation of medicinal plants became an important concern of medieval gardeners. The apothecary garden was usually located in patios, next to the doctor's house, monastery hospital or almshouse. Herbal medicinal and ornamental plants, and plants that could serve as dyes. Flowering and fragrant plants imparted beauty to the apothecaries' beds. But different is beautiful flowering plants not so much bred in the Middle Ages. There was not enough room for them in gloomy castles and cramped cities. On small patches of land, sparingly illuminated by the sun because of the high walls and roofs, only a few favorite plants were grown - roses, lilies, carnations, daisies, irises.
Since there were few gardens in the Middle Ages, grown plants were highly valued and strictly guarded. Evidence of how much attention was paid to gardens and flowers in the Middle Ages is the rescript of 812, which Charlemagne ordered about those flowers that should be planted in his gardens. The rescript contained a list of about sixty names of flowers and ornamental plants. This list was copied and then distributed to the monasteries throughout Europe. Gardens were cultivated even by mendicant orders. The Franciscans, for example, until 1237, according to their charter, did not have the right to own land, with the exception of the site at the monastery, which could not be used otherwise than as a garden. Other monastic orders were specifically engaged in gardening and horticulture and were famous for this. Certain laws were also established against those who spoiled or destroyed plants. According to the law of that time, a person who spoiled a grafted tree was threatened with burning his toes. And sometimes the one guilty of spoiling someone else's garden was nailed to a pillory, cut off right hand and condemned to eternal exile.
The main feature of the monastic type of gardens was their solitude, contemplation, silence, utility. Some monastery gardens were decorated with trellis pavilions, low walls to separate one section from another. Among the monastic gardens, the St. Gallen (or St. Gallen) garden in Switzerland was especially famous.
The monastery of St. Gall, now located in the Swiss city of St. Gallen, was in the Middle Ages one of the largest Benedictine monasteries in Europe. It was founded in 613 by St. Gall. Here is the monastery library. medieval manuscripts, which has 160 thousand items and is considered one of the most complete in Europe. One of the most curious exhibits is the "Plan of St. Gall", drawn up in the beginning. 9th century and representing an idealized picture of a medieval monastery (this is the only architectural plan that has survived from the early Middle Ages).
In 1983, the monastery of St. Gall was inscribed on the World Heritage List as "the perfect example of a large monastery of the Carolingian era."
garden labyrinth- a technique that was formed in the monastery gardens and took a strong place in the subsequent park construction. Initially, the labyrinth was a pattern, the pattern of which fit into a circle or hexagon and led to the center in complex ways. In the Middle Ages, the church used the idea of labyrinths. For the penitent pilgrims on the floor of the temple laid out mosaic spiral winding paths, along which believers had to crawl on their knees from the entrance to the temple to the altar to atone for their sins. So, from performing a tiresome ritual in the church, they went to merry walks in the gardens, where they moved the labyrinth, where the paths were separated by high walls of clipped hedges. From such a labyrinth there was, as a rule, only one or two exits, which were not so easy to find. Occupying a small area, this labyrinth gave the impression of an endless length of paths and made it possible to take long walks. Perhaps in such labyrinths hatches of a secret underground passage.
Subsequently, labyrinth gardens became widespread in regular and even landscape parks in Europe. In Russia, such a labyrinth was in the Summer Garden (not preserved), the regular part of Pavlovsky Park (restored) and Sokolniki Park, where its roads looked like intertwined ellipses inscribed in a spruce massif (lost).
cloister(from lat. Claustrum- a closed place) - a covered bypass gallery framing a closed rectangular courtyard or inner garden monastery. Usually the cloister is located along the wall of the building, while one of its walls is deaf, and the second is an arcade or colonnade. Often called the cloister itself and the open courtyard, surrounded by a gallery.
In the Middle Ages, the courtyard of the cloister certainly had a well in the center, from which paths departed, dividing the space of the courtyard into quadrants. The cloister was usually attached to the long south facade of the cathedral. One of the first images of the cloister can be seen on the plan of the monastery of St. Gallen in Switzerland. The cloister was the center of the life of the monastery, its main communication center, a place of meditation and scientific work. The cloister played a significant role as a place of solemn processions at Easter or Christmas.
Similar information.
Spring is opening time holiday season. For gardeners and gardeners these days, goods for the garden are in high demand, and having bought necessary inventory, summer residents go to their garden plots. Today it is in fashion to landscape areas with chic - to plant exotic plants, put up sculptures, dig artificial reservoirs. However, few people know that in the Middle Ages, gardens were real works of art.
medieval gardens
In the Middle Ages, the work of a gardener was likened to the work of a writer of books. It was believed that the garden should be read like a book, benefiting for oneself.
As a rule, gardens in the Middle Ages were planted in monasteries and castles. At that time, only there could be found flowers and some fruits. The monastery courtyard was built in accordance with a strict layout and included a garden, a kitchen garden with even rectangular beds, and sometimes a reservoir was built for growing fish. Such an ensemble was called a paradise yard. In the Garden of Eden, fenced off prying eyes cultivated ornamental plants, medicinal herbs and fruit bushes.
Many decorative techniques in the Middle Ages were borrowed from antiquity. The principle of regularity dominated both in the compositions of architecture and in the device green spaces. Sculptures, fountains, cascades, baskets and grottoes played an important role in the design of the gardens.
The work of such masters as Bramante, Raphael and Palladio had an influence on the construction of gardens and parks in Italy.
Gardens and villas at that time formed a single ensemble. One of the most famous architectural and park works of the Renaissance was Villa Madama. Giulio Medici chose for this villa a picturesque hillside overlooking Rome. The initial project of the villa was prepared by Rafael Santi. Despite the complex landscape, the famous architect harmoniously surrounded the villa with a terraced garden.
Another masterpiece of that time is Villa Fornese. The architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola accurately calculated the proportions of the Fornese garden and was able to advantageously use the natural terrain.
In that era, Italy inspired creative searches in other European countries. So, in France, under Italian influence in the 16th century, the Fontainebleau gardens were created near the Royal Palace, at the beginning of the 17th century - the Luxembourg garden near the Luxembourg Palace.
At the end of the IV century. brilliant era of antiquity with itssciences, arts, architecture completed its
existence, giving way to a new era of feudalism.
Period
time
numbering
millennium between the fall of Rome (end of the 4th century) and
Renaissance in Italy (XIV century), is called
the Middle Ages, or the Middle Ages. It was
time
formation
European
states,
constant internecine wars and uprisings, time
Christian affirmations.
In the history of architecture, the Middle Ages are divided into
three periods: early medieval (IV-IX centuries),
Romanesque (X-XII centuries), Gothic (late XII-XIV centuries). The change in architectural styles is not essential
is reflected in park construction, because during this period
landscape art, which is the most
vulnerable of all arts and more than others
requiring for its existence a peaceful
environment, stops its development. It
exists in the form of small gardens at monasteries and
castles, i.e. in the territories, relatively
protected from destruction.
The medieval period that lasted
almost a thousand years, left no exemplary gardens, no
created his Gothic style of garden architecture. Garden types:
1.
2.
3.
4.
monastery garden
Castle gardens or feudal type of gardens
"Meadows of flowers" - for tournaments and secular fun
"Gardens of Love" Medieval gardens in Europe shrank considerably in
sizes compared to antique ones, their
appointment. Ornamental, pleasure gardens have become large
rarity and reduced to tiny patches, sandwiched among
powerful walls of feudal castles and monasteries. These gardens
were used mainly for the cultivation of fruit and
medicinal plants. monastery garden
Gardens first started
arise
only
in
monasteries.
Medieval
monasteries
represented
are centers of science and
art
feudal
peace. Being relatively
protected
from
destruction
in
time
numerous
medieval wars and civil strife, they became centers in
which was preserved and, to some extent, developed,
park art. Here semantic
concept of an ideal garden - paradise. The monastery gardens were compositionally related to
the architecture of the surrounding buildings and were filled
symbolism reflecting the knowledge of God by the human soul -
the Garden of Eden is a garden planted by God, sinless, holy,
abundant with everything that a person needs is an indispensable and
characteristic feature - the presence in the garden of everything that can
bring joy not only to the eye, but also to hearing, smell, taste,
touch - all human senses. Flowers fill heaven
colors and fragrances. Fruits are not only decoration,
equal colors, but also delight the palate. Birds not only announce
garden with singing, but also decorate it with their colorful appearance, etc.
This original paradise was surrounded by a fence, beyond which
God expelled Adam and Eve after their fall. Therefore, the main
"significant" feature of the Garden of Eden is its enclosure.
Such a garden was often called "hortus conclusus" - "closed garden". The limited area determined the small size
monastery gardens. They were characterized by a rectangular
layout of leveled patios closed from
surrounding "sinful world". Garden layout and plants
him, endowed with allegorical (religious) symbols. Garden,
separated by walls from sin and the intervention of dark forces, became
symbol of the Garden of Eden.
The monastery courtyard, usually square, was divided by narrow
tracks crosswise into four square parts (which
had a symbolic meaning - a cross formed by paths,
was meant to commemorate the torment of Christ). In the center, on
crossing paths, a well or fountain was built, as
a symbol of purity of faith and inexhaustible grace.
Often the central place was occupied by the "tree of life" or
"tree of knowledge" - paradise tree - a small orange
a tree or an apple tree - a symbol of the loss of a paradise state -
a symbol of the unity of good and evil, for the fruits of good and evil grow on it.
evil. By purpose, the gardens were divided into apothecary gardens with
all kinds of herbs and medicinal plants, kitchen
gardens with vegetable crops for the needs of the monastery and fruit
gardens. A small orchard inside the monastery courtyard was
a symbol of paradise. It often included monastic
cemetery. Monasteries at that time were perhaps the only
a place where medical care was provided, both to monks and
and pilgrims. The cultivation of medicinal plants has become
an important concern of medieval gardeners. Pharmaceutical
the garden was usually located in the courtyards, next to
a doctor's house, a monastery hospital or an almshouse. AT
it cultivated both medicinal and ornamental
plants, as well as plants that could serve
dyes. Flowering and fragrant plants brought
the beauty of pharmaceutical beds. But beautiful flowering plants
not so much bred in the Middle Ages, they did not have enough
places in gloomy castles and cramped cities. On small
patches of land, sparingly illuminated by the sun because of the high walls
and roofs, grew only a few favorite
plants... Lilies, gladioli, rosemary, mint,
sage, rue and others beneficial species plants, which
they were also beautiful. The aesthetic principle was present in
everything that was in the garden, and here you could meet the beds
with vegetables, fragrant herbs, flowers,
berry bushes, fruit trees- all this was
necessary for monks who had their own household and
provided themselves with everything they needed.
It is noteworthy that the healing properties of plants in the early
The Middle Ages was defined very simply: it was believed that
the plant by its very form shows which organs or parts
it heals the body. For example, they thought that wormwood, which looked like a curl, was a remedy for headaches; hairy dill and asparagus
help to strengthen hair; roses and daisies, a few
resembling an eye, cure eye diseases; sorrel,
resembling a tongue, and heals it, and a lily of the valley with flowers,
resembling a drop - an excellent remedy for paralysis ... Since there were few gardens in the Middle Ages, grown
plants were highly valued and strictly guarded. Testimony
how much attention was paid to gardens and flowers,
is the rescript of 812, in which Charlemagne ordered
about the flowers to be planted in his gardens. Rescript
contained a list of about sixty color names and
ornamental plants. This list has been rewritten and
then spread to the monasteries throughout Europe.
Certain laws were also laid down against those
who spoiled or destroyed plants. According to the law of that
time, a person who spoiled a grafted tree was threatened
burning toes. And sometimes guilty of damaging someone else's
the garden was nailed to a pillory, the right hand was cut off and
condemned to eternal exile. The main feature of the monastic type of gardens was their
solitude, contemplation, silence, utility.
Some monastery gardens were decorated with trellis
gazebos, low walls to separate one section from
another. Among the monastic gardens, the St. Gallen Garden in Switzerland was especially famous.
Monastery of St. Gall, located in the Swiss
the city of St. Gallen, was in the Middle Ages one of the largest
Benedictine monasteries in Europe, founded in 613 by St.
Gall.
The monastery library of the medieval
manuscripts, which has 160 thousand items and
reputed to be one of the most complete in Europe. One of the most
interesting exhibits is the "Plan of St. Gall",
compiled at the beginning of the 9th century and representing
idealized picture of a medieval monastery (this
the only architectural plan surviving from the early
Middle Ages). "Plan of Saint Gall" Plan of the medieval monastery of St. Gall
1. Doctor's house.
2. Medicinal garden
plants.
3.
Monastic
patio - cloister.
4. Orchard and
cemetery.
5. Garden.
6.
Household
ponds. Cloister (from lat. Claustrum - a closed place) - covered
bypass gallery framing a closed rectangular courtyard
or the inner garden of the monastery. Usually the cloister was located
along the wall of the building, while one of its walls was deaf, and
the second was an arcade or colonnade. Often a cloister
the open courtyard itself, surrounded by a gallery, was also called. In the Middle Ages, the courtyard of the cloister certainly had
in the center of the well, from which paths departed, separating
yard space into quadrants. The cloister was usually attached
to the long south facade of the cathedral. One of the first images
the cloister can be seen on the plan of the monastery of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
The cloister was the center of the life of the monastery, its
main communication center, place of meditation and learning
work. The cloister played a significant role as a place
solemn processions at Easter or Christmas. The labyrinth garden is another technique that was formed in
monastery gardens and took a firm place in
subsequent park construction.
If the Romans used the motif of the labyrinth in the decor
mosaics and frescoes, Christians turned it into a symbol
obstacles to salvation. Labyrinths were often found in
church interiors. In the Middle Ages for penitent pilgrims
mosaic spirally winding paths were laid out on the floor of the temple, along which believers had to
walk on your knees from the entrance to the temple to the altar along all the bends and
turns of the maze. This punishment was for
atonement for their sins on those who could not commit
pilgrimage to holy places. In the future, from performing a tedious rite in
church labyrinths moved to walks in the gardens, where the paths
separated by sheared hedges.
Occupying a small area, such a labyrinth created
the impression of an infinite length of tracks and made it possible
take long walks. They say in such labyrinths
the hatches of a secret underground passage were hidden. Maybe,
it was about such a labyrinth that Jeff Saward wrote in his book
“... the labyrinth is perceived as an island of calm in
chaotic world, a quiet place for reflection and
contemplation. The winding path of the labyrinth invites
visitor to clear your mind, refresh your soul, temper your ardor,
slow down..." Labyrinth gardens Subsequently
labyrinth gardens
got
wide
distribution in regular and even landscape parks in Europe.
In Russia, such a labyrinth was in the Summer Garden (not preserved), in
the regular part of Pavlovsky Park (restored) and the park
Sokolniki, where his roads looked like intertwined ellipses,
inscribed in a spruce array (lost). Modern labyrinth gardens Castle gardens or feudal type of gardens.
The gardens in the castles had a special character. feudal
the gardens, unlike the monastic ones, were smaller,
located inside castles and fortresses - were small
and closed. Flowers were grown here, there was a source -
a well, sometimes a miniature pool or fountain, and almost
always a bench in the form of a ledge covered with turf - reception,
which subsequently became widespread in
parks. They arranged covered alleys of grapes,
rose gardens, apple trees were grown, as well as flowers planted
in flower beds according to special drawings. castle gardens castle gardens
were
usually
under
special
hostess supervision
castle
and
served
small
oasis
calmness
among
noisy
crowds
inhabitants
castle,
filling
his
yards.
Here
same
grown
how
medicinal herbs,
and poisonous, herbs for jewelry and having a symbolic
meaning. Special attention devoted to fragrant herbs. Their sweetness answered
ideas
about
paradise,
delightful
all
the senses
person, but another reason for them
cultivation was that
castles and cities, due to
low sanitary conditions,
were full of bad smells. AT
medieval gardens were planted
roses brought by the crusaders
from the Middle East.
In the first centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, roses in
Europe classified as pagan, ungodly, sinful
luxury, were destroyed, and only a century later again
appeared in the gardens. Plants with valuable
healing
properties
become in the Middle Ages
basis
spirits
and
cosmetic
funds.
Such gardens were called
gardens of "learned women",
who invented the first
aromatic drugs. AT
countries
Europe
in
middle ages people almost
didn't wash and to fight off
smell, smeared themselves
odorous
mixtures
from
dozens of ingredients
the first spirits appeared. "Sweet-smelling" plants were grown - roses, lilies,
primroses, violets, cornflowers - not only for use in
rituals, decorations, but even in dishes. Violets added
in salads. Primrose, violets, rose petals and hawthorn in
mixtures with honey and sugar were a favorite treat.
The first mention of flower garden roses and violets
dates back to around 1000. It was at this time that such decorative
elements such as flower beds, trellises, pergolas, a fashion appears on
potted plants. Aromatic plants, flowers and exotic indoor plants were grown in pots.
plants that came to Europe after the Crusades.
At the castles of large feudal lords, more extensive gardens are created
not only for utilitarian purposes, but also for recreation. Near the defensive fortifications of the castle were arranged
"meadows of flowers" - gardens for tournaments and secular amusements. Big
fame
enjoyed
gardens
Emperor Charlemagne
(768-814), they were divided into
utilitarian and "fun".
"Funny"
gardens
decorated
lawns,
flowers,
low
trees,
birds
and
menagerie.
In the late Middle Ages
"Gardens of love" appeared:
gardens for
love
retreats,
dating, and also just for
recreation
from
noisy
court life. Such gardens were
small pools in the center
for
bathing.
Here
playing music, talking
read
books,
danced,
played various games.
good picture
such
"garden
love"
preserved in miniature
"Garden of Pleasure" Young
people bathe in the Fountain
Youth", drink wine and
enjoy
music.
A joint
bathing
in
small pools of men
and women quite often
depicted in medieval
miniatures. Shared bathing in
small
basins
men
and
women
enough
often
portrayed
in
medieval
miniatures: apparently
there was nothing in it
amazing in the conditions
"communal"
life
medieval castles and
cities where privacy
wanted but not
always available. Main
objects
landscape gardening
art
Middle Ages:
- monastery gardens
- monastic gardens-cloisters,
- pharmaceutical gardens,
- fruit (paradise) gardens,
- labyrinth gardens
- feudal gardens
- decorative and utilitarian gardens,
- fun gardens
- pleasure groves (flower meadow and garden of love).
The Middle Ages are characterized by the use of achievements
ancient natural science and the theory of landscape art and
their further improvement. It is possible to distinguish such
peculiarities
garden
construction
Middle Ages:
geometric layout of internal gardens; privates
planting and cutting trees; labyrinth; symbolism. Laboratory and practical work No. 3
"Plan of the Medieval Monastery of Saint Gall".
style features:
5. Garden.
6. Economic ponds.
axial construction;
usage
symmetry;
formation
closed
compositions
main elements:
1. Doctor's house.
2. Medicinal garden
plants.
3. Cloister.
4. Orchard and
cemetery
1. Gardens of the Arabs in Spain.
At the end of the IV century. the brilliant era of antiquity with its sciences, art, architecture ended its existence, giving way to a new era - feudalism. The period of time spanning a millennium between the fall of Rome (end of the 4th century) and the Renaissance in Italy (14th century) is called the Middle Ages, or the era of the Middle Ages. It was the time of the formation of European states, constant internecine wars and uprisings, the time of the establishment of Christianity. “But at the same time, in these torments, a new human society was born. In wars and uprisings, famines and epidemics, slavery was abolished, replaced by the feudal system.
In the history of architecture, the Middle Ages are divided into three periods: early medieval(IV-IX centuries), romanesque(X-XII centuries), Gothic(late XII-XIV centuries). The change in architectural styles does not significantly affect park construction, since during this period, gardening art, which is the most vulnerable of all types of art and more than others requiring a peaceful environment for its existence, stops its development. It exists in the form of small gardens at monasteries and castles, that is, in territories relatively protected from destruction.
Monastery gardens. They grew herbaceous medicinal and ornamental plants. The layout was simple, geometric, with a pool and fountain in the center. Often two cross-shaped paths divided the garden into four parts; in the center of this intersection, in memory of the martyrdom of Christ, a cross was erected or a rose bush was planted.
Castle gardens arranged within their territory. They were small and closed. Flowers were grown here, there was a source - a well, sometimes a miniature pool and fountain, and almost always a bench in the form of a ledge covered with turf - a technique that was widely used in parks.
garden labyrinth- a technique that was formed in the monastery gardens and took a strong place in the subsequent park construction. Initially, the labyrinth was a pattern, the pattern of which fit into a circle or hexagon and led to the center in complex ways. In the early Middle Ages, this drawing was laid out on the floor of the temple, and later transferred to the garden, where the paths were separated by walls of sheared hedges. Subsequently, labyrinth gardens became widespread in regular and even landscape parks. In Russia, such a labyrinth was in the Summer Garden (not preserved), the regular part of Pavlovsky Park (restored) and Sokolniki Park, where its roads looked like intertwined ellipses inscribed in a spruce massif (lost).
The late Middle Ages are characterized by the opening of the first universities (Bologna, Paris, Oxford, Prague). Horticulture and botany have reached high level development, the first botanical gardens appeared (Aachen, Venice, etc.).
Gardens of the Arabs in Spain
In the 8th century Arabs (Moors) settled on the Iberian Peninsula and stayed here for almost seven centuries. Toledo became major center education, and Cordoba - the most civilized city in Europe.
Having borrowed the experience of Egypt and Rome in arranging irrigation facilities, the Arabs managed to use the melting snow on mountain peaks and created a powerful hydraulic system, turning waterless Spain into a flourishing land. Here a new type of garden was formed - Hispanic Mauritanian. This is a small courtyard (200-1200 m 2) of an atrium-peristyle type (patio), surrounded by the walls of a house or a fence, it is a continuation of the front and living quarters in the open.
The complex of such miniature patio, included in the complex structure of the palace, represent the gardens of Grenada, created in the XIII century. in the residences of the caliphs - Alhambra (650X200 m) and Generalife (area 80X 100 m).
In the Alhambra, the palace premises were grouped around the Court of Myrtle and the Court of Lions. The courtyard of the myrtle (47X 33 m) is surrounded by walls of buildings with an elegant arcade, richly decorated with ornaments. In the center is a pool (7X45 m), elongated along a long axis and framed by rows of sheared myrtle. The main effect is the reflection of the arcade of the tower in the water of the pool. The courtyard of the lions (28X19 m) is also surrounded by walls and an arcade, crossed by two mutually perpendicular channels, in the center of which there is a fountain of two alabaster vases supported by 12 black marble lions.
There is also the Queen's Court, decorated with a fountain, 4 cypresses in the corners, and most importantly - a complex ornament of the cover, in the pattern of which both the pool and the cypress planting sites are woven.
Ensemble Generalif - the summer residence of the caliphs, located 100 m above the Alhambra. This is a complex of isolated patio gardens on the terraces. The most famous courtyard with a canal. It is elongated and surrounded by an arcade; a narrow 40-meter canal is laid in the center, decorated with two rows of fountains. Their thin jets form an arched alley. The garden is freely planted with small trees and shrubs.
In general, the traditions of the Spanish-Moorish garden are characterized by the following features: simplicity of planning and individuality of the solution. The layout is regular, due to the geometric plan of the patio. The garden has a compositional center, most often it is a pool. The entrance to the garden is often placed not in the center, but on the side, thereby breaking the symmetry, enriching the overall picture of the garden.
The connection between the inner closed space of the garden and open appearance is achieved by arranging viewing points, decorated with arcades. This method of interconnection was subsequently widely developed in landscape art.
Water is the main motif of the garden. It is present in every patio in the form of channels, pools, springs gushing out of the ground. The water now flows down the channels made in the railings of the stairs, then it pierces the plane of the garden in a narrow strip, then it spreads like a vast mirror (the courtyard of the myrtle), then it forms fountain jets. In all its diversity, there is a desire to show the value of each of its drops.
Vegetation is used in such a way as to demonstrate the individual merits of each specimen. Cypresses, orange and tangerine trees, jasmine, almond, oleander, roses were planted freely. As an architectural element, the haircut was rarely used.
The hot climate did not allow the use of the lawn, so most of the territory was decorated with decorative paving.
AT color solution the combination of the general restrained color scheme of the walls, the greenery of trees and shrubs with bright splashes is characteristic flowering plants or colored coatings. Decorative paving is one of the important elements of the Spanish-Moorish garden. Sometimes the retaining walls and benches of the garden were lined with colored majolica. Primary colors - blue, yellow, green.
Thus, the Spanish-Moorish style was formed with a complex of its techniques that corresponded to the requirements of time, nature, and national traditions.
