This Orchard presents unequivocal Renaissance characteristics which without reaching the purity of the style of Villa Belvedere (1503) in Rome or the grandeur and beautiful complexity of the Boboli Gardens (1600) in Florence, offers an enchanting example of this style of garden which is quite unusual in Andalusia.
The characteristics defining this garden are as follows:
The evident close relationship between the main building and the garden.
Its design is of a regular and geometric shape, distributing the space in symmetry to a geometric axis.
The land is partitioned in different levels of successive terraces connected by steps which level out the gentle slope of the ground. In this case four different levels can be appreciated thanks to the steps and the trimmed hedges.
The streets are straight and intersected, the linear shapes predominating over the circular ones which, although to a lesser extent, also appear. This geometry is reinforced in some parts of the garden by the floor paving designs made with washed pebbles, possibly from the same era as the garden.
Natural materials and plants are considered one more element of construction, giving them shapes in such way that nothing retains its original conformation. In contrast, you can see flowers (roses, pansies...), introduced, as in all Andalusia, by Arab reminiscences.
No part of the garden seems to have been left to chance
Each space has a specific function, the artificial elements predominating over the natural.
The vegetation is limited to evergreen foliage plants, which can be pruned and shaped in specific patterns and sizes. Along the years other deciduous species have been introduced alongside the original vegetation.
There are characteristic elements of the Roman period: statues (logically and unfortunately, the owners of the Palace took with them the magnificent statues that could be seen here, and some of these are seen in the House of Pilates in Seville); shallow grottoes and artificial caves made of limestone (only two are preserved) where was recreated the aquatic mythological world with statues of nymphs and water games; porticoes (in particular, the archway which communicates the Palace with the Garden); loggias (this is one of the most interesting features of the garden, as it is a Pompeian “Imafronte” unique in Andalusia, where the statues referred to above were placed along with flowerpots, planters and balustrades).
Water is used as a decorative motif and always appears in artificial features, following a straight course forming waterfalls, pools and fountains. You can palpably observe the great importance water has in this garden because there are several pools; the watercourses are now hidden or lost and also seems very likely there once existed a Salpigi system (valves that were triggered by stepping on a membrane, shooting up jets of water to the sudden surprise of those who were walking around the different streets of the garden).
Introduces curiosities such as water games, sophisticated decorations or scenarios, a secret garden disappeared in the most part,although there still remains the pool where according to legend the Lady of the Castle bathed (to clean her body) and then went into the chapel attached to the garden (to clean her soul).
With regard to plants species, with the passage of time some species that are not from the period of construction have been introduced; among the original flora we can mention the Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens), Laurel (Laurus Nobilis), Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis), Ivy (Hedera Helix), Myrtle (Myrtus Communis), and Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens). All the above made up the typical flora in any Renaissance garden; it is also worth mentioning two Magnolia trees which are centenaries; these and a variety of Jasmines, including the Night Jasmine, fill Bornos’ summer nights with rich captivating essences.
(Cupressus Sempervirens). All the above made up the typical flora in any Renaissance garden; it is also worth mentioning two Magnolia trees which are centenaries; these and a variety of Jasmines, including the Night Jasmine, fill Bornos’ summer nights with rich captivating essences.
In the pools there are Water Lilies of great antiquity. Furthermore we find here two huge bushes of Chinese Orange Blossom, a Jacaranda tree, several Washingtonian Palm trees (in its two varieties, robust and fan palm), a different variety of Rose Bushes and the also remarkable presence of Pansies (the famous "cat’s face flower"), which like the water lilies are very old. There also are a lot of Orange trees (of modern introduction).
Read more
