The gardens of Spain make for pleasant days discovering the Spanish love of formal gardens, connected to architectural planting, from plants that withstand heat and strong sunshine, to water features that literally reflect the Moorish history of this fascinating country. For an insight to the horticultural history of Moorish Spain, let´s visit the star of the story – Córdoba – and do a little digging!
In the beginning…
As far back as the Caliphate dynasty during the 8thcentury saw the gardening bug begin in Córdoba, in the southern region of Spain. Despite the meltingly hot summers, with temperatures of up to the mid 40´s and dry, cold winters, this area along with Seville is known as the garden of Spain. Oranges to Olives, soft berries such as strawberries and grapes for wine are grown with ease, helped along by the ancient irrigation systems put in place by the Romans and the Moors. Varieties of fruit and flowers that were introduced by the same still thrive and survive, alongside the more formal gardens that are a pleasure for visitors to discover and explore.
Best time to visit?
Many of you will know or have heard of the May fiesta in Cordoba. Late springtime and lazy evenings in the city are filled with the heady scent of Jasmine, Lily and Stock floating along on the last of the city heat from the day….
Walls are strewn with blankets of flowers, riotous colours overflow from baskets and pots, balconies and terraces, and this is the Patio Festival of Cordoba! The city is known for its indoor patios – little patches of walled private spaces, packed to capacity with colour, scent and the omnipresent sound of water, central to the picture.
Book your place in May and enjoy for yourself in 2012…choose from this selection of Cordoba holiday homes in which to enjoy the festival.
But we are here on a different mission! To discover the formal gardens – a holiday admiring the many historical gardens in and around the city – let´s take a look at 5 of the best…
Look within the courtyards!
Gardens of the Alcázar
Of course on your ´must see´ list will be the Alcázar, dating from the 14th century and home to one of the best interior patios in Spain. Since the 1950´s the restored gardens have been open to the general public, and are on several levels with many water features, ponds and pools.
Opening times: Summer: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 20:00
Winter: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:30 – 18:30
Around the Alcazar..
Madinat Al-Zahra
The earliest one – installed in the 10th century and situated 8 km west of the city travelling on the C-431.
Sometimes called Old Cordoba, on a former foundation site for the Caliphate, the ruins were given another little digging over and restored back in the 1920´s and today are filled with lofty Palms, slim Cypress and fruit trees. Colourful Bougainvillea frame the walls and the Sierra Morena form the bigger picture.
Opening times: Summer: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 20:30
Winter: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 18:30
Fountain and tree lined walkways
Palacio de Viana
On the Plaza de Don Gome north of the city centre, you can enjoy a guided tour of the Palace of Viana, before enjoying an unaccompanied stroll through the gardens, made up of more than a dozen different patios. A gigantic Holm oak marks the centre and you can dip between the various patios all planted differently – swaying between the shafts of sunlight and deliciously shaded areas to sit and drink in the scene. Lots of water features and tinkling fountains complete the picture. A very relaxing garden ,and definitely worth a visit.
Opening times:
October to June daily except Wednesday 10:00-13:00 & 16:00 – 18:00
June to September Everyday 10:00 –14:00
*FREE on Tuesdays!
The cool patios of Viana Palace
The Orange Patio
Or the Patio de los Naranjas – actually situated in the courtyard of the Mezquita now the cathedral and another ´must-see´on your list of places go in Córdoba. The mosque itself was constructed in the 8th century, and the garden has been weeded here ever since…The 15th century saw the addition of Oranges to be planted here and so they have continued ever since.
Straight line planting, gives a symmetrical view of the glossy green leaves and jewel like orange fruits – go when the blossom is out in Spring for the most beautifully scented garden anywhere! The water features here are prominent, and give a clue to the Muslim past – there´s an ancient Muslim tank directly below the courtyard, where water rites before prayers would have been performed.
Opening times: Everyday – Summer: 10:00 – 19:00 & Winter: 10:00 – 17:30
The Botanical Gardens
By the Guadalquivir river, south west of Córdoba, is the location of the Botanical Gardens -Jardín Botánico. Fairly recent compared to some of the more ancient gardens mentioned above, it was inaugurated in the late 1980´s. There´s a large greenhouse to explore, with a large collection of flora from the Canary Islands and also from the U.S.A.
Orderly rows of neat hedge border fragrant collections of herb and fruit bushes and of particular interest is a fragrant garden designed especially for the blind. The plants in this area have been chosen not just for their scent but also for texture. An arboretum completes the picture, and the walk.
Opening times: Summer: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 – 14:30 & 17:30 – 19:30
Winter: “ “ 10:30 – 14:30 & 16:30 – 18:30
*Closed from the middle of July until the middle of September
The Botanic Gardens at Córdoba
And more to explore…
There are lots of formal gardens in other parts of Spain too, you can read about the ones on the Canary Islands here if you´re planning a bit of sunshine to brighten up your long British winter! Choose from Palmitos Park in Gran Canaria, Sitio Litro in Tenerife, Jardín de Cactus in Lanzarote, amongst others. Most of these will open all year but a few close on Christmas day and January 1st.
Perhaps a gift of a Garden Visit holiday for a green fingered loved one?
Here is a selection of holiday accommodation in the Canary Islands for you to mull over…just remember to pack some thick gloves for all that Cacti!
Give your lovebird a holiday for Christmas!
flick accreditation to calafellvalo/sim00n/Toni Escuder
