The most famous park in the world
The complex of palace and park ensembles bordering the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland was formed during the 18th-19th centuries. The central - and the most famous of them - is the regular Lower Park with magnificent fountains. The park with a "water extravaganza" covers an area of 102 hectares. It was laid out on the initiative of Peter I as part of the grand imperial residence, which was supposed to surpass the famous Versailles and is one of the "pearls" of St. Petersburg, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Zhangjiajie National Park was opened in 1982 - and soon included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The territory of the park is about 13,000 km2, where about 500 species of animals live and rare plant species grow. The park is considered one of the most impressive places on Earth - primarily due to quartzite rocks with an average height of 800 meters (and the highest peaks of the massif reach a height of 3 kilometers). It was here that the creators of the film "Avatar" filmed the landscapes of Pandora. One of the attractions of the park is the world's highest set of elevators that lift tourists to an observation deck 360 meters above the ground.
Boboli Gardens are considered one of the best park ensembles of the Renaissance. The territory of the main residence of the Medici Dukes (designed to demonstrate all the power, grandeur and luxury of the famous family) was opened to the public in 1766, and now the 4.5-hectare park has the status of an open-air garden sculpture museum. The strict layout of the park, magnificent fountains and statues, open temples and colonnades, grottoes, as well as magnificent views of the city, invariably attract visitors here.
"The green lungs of Manhattan" - this is the name of New York's Central Park - a regular rectangle 800 meters wide and 4 kilometers (341 hectares) long with lakes, walking trails, children's lawns, skating rinks and pools. Despite the apparent naturalness of the landscape, the park, founded in 1859, is completely man-made. This is the most visited park in the United States: about 25 million people visit here every year. Central Park attractions include the historic carousel, Belvedere Castle, Delacorte Theatre, Zoo, Wildlife Sanctuary.
The magnificent park, founded in 1689, is considered one of the main attractions of Salzburg. Despite its relatively small size (about 10 hectares), it is considered one of the most beautiful baroque gardens in Europe and is a recognized masterpiece of landscape design. Sophisticated flower beds, trellises, viewing platforms with beautiful views of Salzburg, green labyrinths, fountains and sculptures, the "dwarf garden" - all this annually attracts from 3 to 5 million people here.
The Royal Flower Park in the Netherlands is also known as the "Garden of Europe". The park with an area of 32 hectares was laid out in 1840 and is famous primarily for its tulip fields: about 4.5 million tulips of many varieties (more than 100) grow and bloom here. In addition to flower fields and greenhouses, ponds, canals, fountains and sculptures serve as decorations for the park. Keukenhof opens to visitors in the spring - from late March to May. At the end of April, the annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade takes place here.
Kirstenbosch is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and the first to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The territory of the park, founded in 1913, is 528 hectares, and here you can see more than 7 thousand plant species, including many rare and endangered ones. A special attraction of the park is a suspension alley 427 meters long, located 12 meters above the ground, equipped with viewing platforms that allow you to admire the surroundings from a height.
King's Park is located in the heart of London. The lands occupied by Hyde Park belonged to Westminster Abbey until the 16th century, then Henry VIII turned them into royal hunting grounds, and in the 17th century Charles I opened the park to the public. Now it is the most popular park in London. Among the attractions of Hyde Park, whose area is 14 hectares - the statue of Achilles, the Wellington Museum, the memorial in honor of Princess Diana, the artificial lake Serpentine. But its most famous location is Speakers' Corner, which has made Hyde Park synonymous with freedom of speech. From 1872 to the present, everyone can speak publicly here on any topic, including criticism of the "first persons" of the state.
Yuyuan (which means "Garden of Joy" or "Garden of Leisurely Rest") is a classical garden in the style of the Ming Dynasty. The park with an area of about 4 hectares was laid out about 400 years ago and is now considered one of the examples of Chinese landscape design. Picturesque landscapes, winding bridges, exquisite buildings, an abundance of attractions (there are more than 40 of them) make the park a gem of Shanghai.
The literal translation of the name of the park, laid out in 1695, is "the garden of six poems." Rikugen is an island of peace, one of the most beautiful parks in Japan, and is considered a striking example of the national style in landscape design. On an area of about 9 hectares, there are man-made ponds and mountains, picturesque walking paths are equipped, more than 35 thousand trees and flowering shrubs grow here. Until 1938, the garden was a private property, but then it became the property of the city and is now a significant landmark of Tokyo.
Beihai Park (translated as "North Sea") is a recognized masterpiece of landscape design, created back in the 10th century. For a long time it was a favorite vacation spot of Chinese emperors. The park with an area of 68 hectares (more than half of the area is occupied by a beautiful lake) has been open to visitors since 1925. Bekhai is considered a model of the traditional Chinese garden, where exquisite buildings are combined with equally exquisite landscapes.
Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg), Paris
The former royal (and now state) palace park with an area of 26 hectares is located in the Latin Quarter and is one of the main attractions of Paris. The Luxembourg Garden was laid out in 1611, when the Dowager Queen Marie de Medici had a desire to equip a palace and park ensemble in the suburbs of the French capital, reminiscent of her homeland, Florence. The luxurious park is famous for its flower beds and terraces, fountains and greenhouses, sculptures and pavilions. It houses the Luxembourg Palace, where the meetings of the French Senate are held.
When you travel to different countries, surely your travel program includes not only visits to museums, but walks around the city with sightseeing of the natural beauties of the city or area. Many cities are ready to boast of the most beautiful parks and gardens, which are definitely worth a visit. If you manage to do it in good weather, you will get a lot of positive impressions and, of course, a lot of bright photos that will remain as a memory of an unforgettable trip.
So, which gardens and parks in the world are worth adding to your travel list?
Photos taken from Instagram accounts.
1. Keukenhof Park in the Netherlands
Keukenhof Park (photo: @haniwandert)Keukenhof is a flower park located in the small town of Lisse in the south of the Netherlands. With its area of 32 hectares, it is the largest flower park in the world. The park is open every year from mid-March to mid-May, with over 7 million flowers and a wonderful colorful decor that will serve as a wonderful backdrop for your photos. Tulips become the real stars of Keukenhof in the spring.
2. Alhambra Gardens in Spain
Alhambra Gardens (photo: @piiagrekula) In arid Andalusia, the gardens of the Alhambra palace complex in Granada are a saving oasis of greenery and freshness. Must-sees are the Partal Gardens and the Nasrid Palace Gardens. Don't miss out on the views of the Albaicín hills.
3. Gardens of Villa Borghese in Italy
Gardens of Villa Borghese (photo: @ns.lidija021) The extensive gardens of Villa Borghese cover an area of 80 hectares and are the most spectacular in Rome. These gardens, illustrating the love of the Romans for Renaissance city palaces and fountains, are now open to the public.
4. Bodnant Garden in Wales
Boudnant Garden (photo: @mrpaulclancy) Bodnant is one of the most beautiful gardens in Wales. It is located in the southeast of Terraced Park and overlooks the Conwy River. The garden is especially beautiful in spring, at the time of flowering of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias.
5. Gardens of Villandry Castle in France
Villandry Castle Gardens (photo: @beatelouw) The opulent Renaissance gardens of Villandry Castle are halfway between Tours and Azay-le-Rideau. They were restored at the beginning of the 20th century by Dr. Joaquim Carvallo. The territory is divided into four main gardens: decorative, water, a garden with many different herbs and a vegetable garden with geometric motifs.
6. Suzhou Gardens in China
Suzhou Gardens (photo: @haoyiliu) The classical gardens of Suzhou are called one of the most beautiful in all of China because they are real masterpieces of Chinese landscape art from the 11th to the 19th century. Nine of these gardens are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
7. Butchart Gardens in Canada
Butchart Gardens (photo: @so_0216) The Butchart Flower Gardens are located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, near the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island. This is a very famous attraction, which is visited by more than a million tourists every year.
8. Majorelle Garden in Morocco
Majorelle Garden (photo: @ahindbrown) The Majorelle Subtropical Garden in Marrakech was founded in 1923 by the French artist Jacques Majorelle. And although the garden was subsequently abandoned for decades, in 1960 it was saved by the famous couturier Yves Saint Laurent. Thanks to him, tourists who come to this pearl of the Middle East have the opportunity to stroll through this beautiful garden, where palm trees, cacti, bougainvillea, banana and laurel trees coexist.
9. Rikugien Garden in Japan
Rikugien Garden (photo: @beautiful_tokyo_walk) Rikugien is a traditional Japanese park that is one of Tokyo's top attractions. It is considered one of the most beautiful gardens of the Edo period and represents an important aspect of Japanese art, where a small pond in the center surrounds many beautiful islands, trees, hills.
10. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Africa
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (photo: @emsmout) Kirstenbosch is located on the eastern slope of Table Mountain in the suburbs of Cape Town. It was founded in 1913 and today covers an area of 528 hectares. Kirstenbosch is one of the most famous gardens in the world due to its collection and its unique location.
11. Claude Monet's garden in France
Claude Monet's garden (photo: @murat_gurbuz) Claude Monet's garden in Giverny (Normandy) received the official status of Outstanding, it represents the revived universe of his painting "Nymphaeum". Arches of land plants surround a dazzling massive "water garden" in the shade of weeping willows. Connoisseurs of the legendary impressionist will be happy to visit this literally picturesque garden.
12. Peterhof park complex in Russia
Peterhof park complex (photo: website) The 102 hectares of Peterhof Park near St. Petersburg include the French-style Upper Garden with three large fountains and the English-style Lower Garden, which includes the famous Grand Cascade at Peterhof. In sunny weather, the parks of Peterhof are truly dazzling - just like the statues of the Grand Cascade, covered with gold, are dazzling.
13. Inverue Garden in Scotland
Inverue Garden (photo: @nationaltrustforscotland) Inverue is a real subtropical paradise, located deep in the mountains, very popular with tourists in rainy Scotland. Blue poppies, Californian erythrons and countless plants from South America, as well as eucalyptus trees from Tasmania and Australia, bloom here.
14. Eirignac Gardens in France
Eirignac Gardens (photo: @ju.laval) The Eirignac Gardens, located in the heart of the historical region of Périgord, includes vegetation in the form of geometric shapes, originally designed in the 18th century. These gardens consist of trees with dazzling green crowns: cypress, yew, boxwood. In 2004, the French Ministry of Culture awarded these gardens the status of Outstanding (Jardin Remarquable).
15. Gardens of Villa Lante in Italy
Gardens of Villa Lante (photo: @sailor.xbi) In northern Lazio is the Villa Lante with gardens in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The peculiarity of these gardens, classified only as Grandi Giardini Italiani (Great Italian Gardens), are its waterfalls, fountains and cascades.
16. Nong Nooch Park in Thailand
Nong Nooch Park (photo: @asifiwerealex) Nong Nooch is located near Pattaya and is famous for its tropical gardens, replete with different varieties of orchids, ferns and other exotic flowers. There are also many animals that deserve the attention of a foreign tourist.
17. Courance Castle Park in France
Courance Castle Park (photo: @mickasuperspeed) Courance Castle, built in the Renaissance style, is located 50 km south of Paris. This castle is surrounded by a park that can be called one of the most beautiful water parks of the 16th century.
18. Het Loo Palace Park in the Netherlands
Het Loo Palace Park (photo: @oscardeboer) The park, located in Apeldoorn, in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, was designed by Claude Dego, a renowned French gardener and nephew and protégé of renowned landscape architect André Le Nôtre. The park is preserved to this day in the form in which it was created at the time of its foundation in the 18th century.
Royal Tulip Park Keukenhof, Holland
Keukenhof, or the "Garden of Europe", is a fabulous park and flower kingdom, spread over an area of 32 hectares in the vicinity of the town of Lisse, between Amsterdam and The Hague. Despite the fact that Keukenhof is open to the public for only two months a year, from about March 20 to May 20, more than a million people visit it every year.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Thailand
Nong Nooch is 240 hectares of botanical gardens and local attractions located at Km 163 of Sukhumvit Road in Chonburi Province. The park has its own Stonehenge and gardens of orchids, bonsai trees and ferns.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Kew Gardens originated in 1670 in Kew Park, created by Lord Henry Capel on the site of an apothecary's garden. More than 2 million tourists visit them every year, but the gardens are not just for them. Kew Gardens is a leading center for botanical research and the training of professional horticulturists. Scientific research is carried out here, and plants are also used as a source for other beautiful parks in England.
The most famous attractions in the Royal Botanic Gardens are Kew Palace, Minka, Grand Pagoda, Davis Alpine House, Japanese Gate, Rizotron Multimedia Gallery, Queen Charlotte's Cottage, Marianne North Gallery, Shirley Sherwood Gallery, Treetop Walkway Bridge and Water Lily House.
Tropical Palm Park, Florida, USA
The park has a unique collection of rare tropical plants, including palm trees, flowering trees and vineyards.
Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai
The first owner of the Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai, Pan Yunduan, who was the provincial treasurer in the Ming era, decided to build a garden that resembled the imperial garden in Beijing to please his parents in his old age. Since the 16th century, the park has been rebuilt several times.
The whole park was built according to all the rules of feng shui. The garden is divided into 6 parts, which are connected by intricate passages, visually isolated from each other. The name Yu Yuan means "Garden of Joy", or "Garden of Leisurely Rest".
Space Reflection Garden, Scotland
This amazing place appeared in Scotland in the town of Dumfries in 1989. Instead of exotic flowers and an abundance of shrubs, there are aluminum flower beds, instead of fountains spouting upwards, there are black holes, and the landscape fascinates with unusual shapes.
Versailles Gardens, France
The famous Versailles Gardens were laid out under Louis XIII and were brought to perfection by the famous court landscape architect André Le Nôtre under Louis XIV. In addition to carefully trimmed lawns and lawns, sculptures and flower stalls, luxurious fountains are located throughout the gardens.
Versailles Park is a "garden of the mind" with mathematically adjusted proportions and well-planned alleys. The "Sun King" did not want to see withered flowers, so two million potted fresh flowers were always ready to replace the withered ones, and the garden shone magnificently all year round.
Have a nice virtual walk with the scents of Spring..)
The art of creating a space around oneself that competes with Nature itself, in which everything is harmonious and calm, is of course mastered by a few. This is a real talent - to create an exterior in which the artist's hand seems to be invisible. As if every flower and every blade of grass has grown in its place at the request of Mother Nature.
The greatest philosopher Plato, once admiring the sunset, said: "Above all beauties - beauty of nature." The genius of the talented creators of the landscape parks of the world is that their parks are no more beautiful than Nature itself. They are as beautiful as nature itself! Indeed, there are places on our planet that delight and inspire people for many years and even centuries. In this article, you will learn only about some of the beautiful corners on our Earth, where people created, admired and made others admire.
This section will be updated regularly. If you suggest a new topic for admiring our planet, the Divo-dacha team will try to cover it with gratitude.
landscape park, as a direction, originated in England in the 18th century. It is a complex where the layout of objects is as close as possible to the natural. Such parks often have aesthetic, ecological and historical value. Unlike urban parks, where all vegetation is planted in accordance with the laws of composition, a landscape park looks more natural. Roads, alleys, glades, reservoirs are located more freely here. The task of modern landscape complexes is to enable the modern inhabitant to feel as if in the wild, but without a sense of danger.
The formation of landscape parks in different countries has a long history. As a rule, it was accompanied by the emergence of styles. Now everyone knows that there are French, Italian, Oriental and other styles. But once upon a time, at the very source of the origin of styles, the determining factor was the climate and topography of a particular country.
For example, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Now they are one of the seven wonders of the world. Despite the fact that this amazing architectural structure has not survived to this day, the memory of it is still alive. History keeps a mention that it was a structure of four terraces located one above the other in a cascade. Trees grew on the lower terraces. The upper ones were planted with shrubs and climbing flowers.
The French style is associated with flat gardens and fragrant flowers. Regular parks, with regular geometric shapes, located on the hills are called Italian. Renaissance gardens have become a kind of pinnacle in the formation of landscape parks and landscape design. Artificial reservoirs, fountains and an abundance of sculptures screamed about the luxury of the palace gardens.
In the 17th century in Europe, the concepts of park and garden began to be distinguished. If gardens are more associated with privacy, then the park becomes a venue for balls and various celebrations. The regular style is gradually replaced by landscape. Along the paths leading to beautiful architectural or plant objects, many smart people walk and concerts are held with evening illumination.
My history landscape parks have in Russia. In the 17th century, we have botanical greenhouses, and then comes the fashion from Holland for flower beds with daffodils and tulips. The 20th century brings to the world not only a technical revolution. In connection with new technologies, the architecture of buildings is changing, and with it the park design.
If we summarize the history of landscape gardening art, we can say that it developed in two directions: geometric and pictorial. Geometric compositions are compositions based on symmetry. Picturesque, or landscape, means the imitation of nature with its natural forms.
In recent years, park construction has gained a new dimension and presents the society with more and more new solutions for organizing space for recreation in a natural "natural" design. Dozens of talented landscape designers have joined this trend and given a powerful impetus to the construction landscape parks.
Modern landscape parks of the world are an example of the conscious interaction of man with Nature. Subconsciously, a person always felt a craving for nature. But if in our time not every city dweller dares to go into the wild forest, then a walk through the landscape park will be as comfortable and safe as possible for him.
Artificial green spaces in such parks are designed to fulfill special design solutions. After all, this landscape and architectural space should not resemble a city park of culture. Historical architectural objects located on the territory of such complexes are of great educational value and positively influence the formation of a new consciousness of the modern resident of the metropolis.
Walks in landscaped parks are becoming more popular and attract many tourists. There was even a concept "landscape travel". Lovers of history and all things beautiful travel the world in search of picturesque places and new inspiring ideas. Here you can only briefly indicate some beautiful places that are an example of landscape architecture:
Peterhof park
Peterhof- the greatest creation of Peter 1, who planned to surpass the French Versailles. It is a brilliant ensemble of palaces and parks. It is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland and is considered a grandiose historical monument, glorifying the power and greatness of our country. The date of creation is considered to be the period from 1714 to 1723. It was dedicated to the victory in the Northern War and access to the Baltic Sea. Famous architects and garden masters of that time worked on the creation of Peterhof.
The landscape ensemble of Peterhof includes:
- The Grand Peterhof Palace, which is the pinnacle of the composition, and unites the Upper Garden and the Lower Park.
- A large cascade, which is a grandiose structure from a cascade of fountains.
- The Upper Garden, which is the main entrance to Peterhof.
- The lower park, which combines the Grand Palace and the Marly Palace with the help of alleys.
The entire Peterhof complex includes several palace and park ensembles, which were formed over two centuries. It also includes the Catherine Corps Museum, the Hermitage Pavilion, the Monplaisir Palace, the Marly Palace and the Bath Corps Museum. Peterhof Landscape Park is a historical heritage of Russia, and in many ways really surpasses the French Versailles.
Vyborg Rocky Landscape Park Mon Repos
Mon Repos Park was founded in the 19th century. This is the only rock landscape park in Russia. It is located on the shore of the Vyborg Bay. Amazing landscapes of centuries-old pines and heaps of boulders of the Ice Age arise before visitors. The territory of the park covers more than a hundred hectares. Once it was the estate of the commandant of the Vyborg fortress. Later, a mansion was built on the territory of the park, and since then the history has been carefully preserved here. Fortunately, many elements of the park have been preserved, bearing the imprint of one or another fashionable architecture at that time. For example, some parts of the park are planned in Chinese style. The wooden Gothic style has also been preserved. Tourists will be interested in visiting the Cave of the Witches. It is believed that men, having passed through it, gain strength and courage, and women get rid of depression and nervous disorders.
Vaux le Vicomte Park, Melun, France
Vaux-le-Vicomte Landscape Park located 46 km from Paris. This architectural and park ensemble was designed and built for the finance minister of Louis XIV Nicolas Fouquet in the 17th century. On its territory there is a castle of the same name.
This magnificent park was brought to life by the designer Le Nôtre, the architect of the time Levo and the artist Lebrun. The castle has a rich history. He knew times of decline and prosperity. The castle acquired its modern look after the restoration by the French industrialist Alfred Sommier. Now the landscape park of Vaux-le-Viscount has several geometric gardens, in which sculptures and fountains are located. The park was created for major holidays and was in fact an arena for theatrical performances.
Landscape Imperial Park Kyoto, Japan
Imperial Park and gosho palace were created over 1000 years ago in the old city of Kyoto. Both the park and the castle witnessed wars and fires, and were repeatedly looted. The park is famous for its pine trees and beautiful landscaped gardens. In the northwest of the park are the villas of Shugakuin and Katsura, which are the brightest example of landscape architecture in Japan. They were built in the 17th century by Prince Hachizono Miya Toshihito. The villas are designed in such a way that more and more amazing landscapes open up to visitors one by one.
Daintree National Australian Park
Daintree Park was founded in 1981. It is spread over an area of more than 1000 sq. km. and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a unique landscape park where you can meet reptiles, kangaroos, bats. The park is a natural habitat for rare birds. And all this against the backdrop of amazing nature, where streams of water whip through tropical forests. The Daintree Rainforest is possibly the oldest on earth. The park has many interesting geographical features - for example, Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, the famous Jumping Stones on Thornton Beach. It is said that this beach was especially revered by the local natives and performed their rituals on it.
The preserved unique flora and fauna is a clear example of how a person can live in harmony with nature.
Bruno Torfs Australian Sculpture Park
It was created in the vicinity of the Australian town of Marysville at the end of the last century by sculptor Bruno Torfs. The park immediately became popular thanks to the terracotta sculptures, ideas for which Bruno Torfs peeped from different peoples of the world. Against the backdrop of exotic nature, visitors to the park are greeted by a wide variety of fabulous creatures - witches, princesses, mermaids. To date, the park has more than a hundred exhibits.
Despite the fact that in 2009 a tragedy overtook the park - almost all the vegetation burned down in a fire - fortunately, the terracotta sculptures were saved. Command Bruno Torfs working hard to restore the park.
Not far from the Vietnamese city of Da Nang, there is a stunning place - the Ba Na mountain resort, the path to which runs along the world's highest cable car. We rested in Vietnam not for the first time and have already managed to visit many interesting sights, but I can say that the impressions of the trip to Mount Ba Na are one of the strongest. Although before visiting Ba Na Hills we read a lot of negative and neutral reviews from tourists. Perhaps this place is "for an amateur." But personally, I highly recommend visiting it!
What is BaNa Hills?
Since 1920, BaNa Hills has been a French resort, some of the buildings have survived to this day. Then during the war it was abandoned. But in recent years, a huge park complex has been created here, new hotels have been built, thereby ensuring an endless flow of tourists. To climb Mount BaNa, you need to climb the world's highest cable car. At the top there is a huge amusement park Fantasy Park, 3 hotels, several restaurants, pagodas, flower gardens with fountains and statues, a wine cellar, castles, a Catholic cathedral, a spa, golf courses and my favorite Vietnamese "sled".
The girls at the reception advised to go as early as possible, as there are a lot of interesting places and entertainment in BaNa Hills. In addition, early in the morning the queue for entry should be smaller.
So, at 8 am we went on a tour. The driver took us 30 minutes to the place. On the way we admired the beauty of the surrounding nature. When we saw a huge line at the entrance to the cable car, we were a little upset. We have already imagined how we will stand here for three hours. The line started on the street, but there were even more people inside the building.
There were almost no Europeans in this huge queue, and we didn't even see Russians. Mostly Chinese and Vietnamese, who looked at our company with great interest.