|
|
The Hanbury Gardens
The Hanbury Gardens, right before the border of France on the road after Ponte S. Luigi, once you have left Ventimiglia and Latte behind, you arrive before a large gate, which affords you entrance to the most beautiful park in Liguria. With an immense number at flowers and tropical plants the garden is a jewel of the botanical world. In the area you will also find (red rock). Here fossils of prehistoric humans, extinct animals and plants were found.
The gardens were founded and named after Thomas Hanbury, who was born in London and made his fortune in Shanghai; and who absolutely loved this coastal strip due to its mild weather.
In a strategically conveniernt position, the gardens are privy to a number of panoramas. A lush vegatation provides the framework, where Mediterranean Macchia(scrub) and the more exotic representatives of the plant world prosper. Altogether the gardens contain approximately six thousand different species of plant life.
The result is a small paradise, a charming park, a botanical garden, where each flower, each plant, each bush and each hedgehas been catalogued and listed.
The Gardens, which have contributed much to the development of garden architecture and botanical research through the years, also incorporates the historical Via Julia Augusta. The best preserved section of the old roman road can be seen within the confines of the Gardens.
As the road structure was important to the Romans, all other roads in this area were either laid parallel or at right angles to this road.
Preserved were also the antique stone supporting walls. The different levels are connected by flights of stairs, ramps and curved staircases. The goal of the Hanbury family (Sir Thomas, his son Cecil and daughter-in-law Dorothy Symons) was to let the vegetation grow naturally in the hard to reach zones and if required, then only consolidate the tree(pines and olive) and shrub(myrtle, genista, laurel and rosemary) population. Oleander was planted along the creek, and in the shady and upper areas wisteria and lilac. The walls were the recipients of passion flower, roses, ivy and begonia. The terrace is smothered with geraniums. The southern side of the Gardens, where the beds are not as cultivated, you will find agaves, aloe, cacti, euphorbia and yucca palms.
In addition, you will find the palm garden, the astral forest and the monochromatic garden, in red, white and orange, made up of annual blooming flowers surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges. The beauty of the fruit gardens emphasize the field of flowers made up of
Anemones, Irises, crocuses, daffodils and more.
To consummate the experience the entire Gardens are also filled with sculptures, fountains, pools, pillars, amphorae, columns, stone benches and temples on every level.
The Palazzo Orengo di Ventimiglia (the main building) was also preserved and hardly changed, save for new work rooms, a tower for panoramic views of the garden, a terrace, arched loggias and an entrance.
The service buildings were situated according to their function. Casa Bellini, under the hot houses, for the workers, and on the east side of the Sorba creeks, a farmhouse which is used for scientific research and the museum, which houses some of the Sir Thomas’ archeological finds. On the same level, the gardners’ house, the cow stalls, the hayrick and Casa Natalni.
In order to water the different levels and horticultures, the leveling of earth as well as hard physical labor were required.
Today the Gardens belong to the Italian State, thanks to an endowement by the Hanbury family, and the maintenance and care is done by the Institute of Botanics of the University of Genova.
|
Zurück
|
|
|
|
 |
belongs to one of the most beautiful coasts of Europe and is about one hour drive from Milan. Coming from Genoa towards France the "Riviera of Flowers" with its sun, beaches, sea, mountains and culinary specialites await you. For information concerning arrival by plane, train and automobile, click
| Up to 300 sunny days. Liguria has a mild throughout the year, with low precipitation. The Rivera of Flowers is a region with the most hours of sun a year.
| and good water quality
Bandiera Blu
| | | Numerous possiblities for ranging from the largest, most beautiful aquarium in Europe to the Vel d`Epoca.
| that allow you to learn in a beautiful and relaxing environment. | | © 2000 - 2008 vacation villas & ferienhäuser in ligurien errors and change excepted, offer not binding
Liguria holiday vacation rental appartment villa home house Italy cottage self catering Italian Riviera |
|
