Gardens have been an influential element within European culture for centuries. They express the intrinsic value of the environment in a different way through the architectural lay out of the gardens. Throughout Europe there are several different types and styles of gardens. The Roman gardens were quite different than the Greek gardens as well as Spanish gardens and English gardens. Each had separate architectural touches and  garden layouts.
      Romans utilized their gardens for specific entertainment and only allowed certain people to enter into their gardens. Therefore the Romans utilized their gardens to enjoy the more natural element of their gardens. This was called "Otium" which was meant to enjoy others company and relax in their garden's beauty. I think that this is important to note that the Romans not only appreciated their gardens natural beauty but perhaps they also enjoyed their rural surroundings right outside of their gardens. I think that they used their gardens beauty as a bridge into appreciating the earth's natural beauty outside of their garden. However, the Romans made their gardens their main focus of beauty because they were more formal which established a more wealthy presentation to company.
      English gardens were more symbolic of courtly love, which proposed for one and their significant other to go to the garden and enjoy it on a more intimate level though reading a poem or literature. The natural beauty and landscape around the gardens was heavily valued by the English. Flower gardens were very popular in English Medieval gardens. Perhaps this is because they connected the importance of courtly love to beauty and happiness and flowers seemed to promote that message. Natural water was highly valued as well, such as motes and lakes around the whole property and garden. The English had smaller and more enclosed gardens because they seemed to not promote their class as much as what the Romans did. Perhaps the smaller localization of Europe after the Roman Empire created this dynamic and people stayed at home more and kept to themselves.

Medieval Style Garden





Roman Style Garden


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