Gardens in Central Europe

This text documents the rich tradition of garden design in Germany (East), Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Western Rumania Colour photographs provide overviews and details of each garden's features. As the gateway between Europe and the Orient, the diverse influences on Central Europe's gardens are comprehensively explored. As political changes focus world attention on the culture of Central Europe, "Gardens in Central Europe" presents an opportunity to explore the exotic gardens of the region. The gardens and gardening traditions, with sources both in Europe and in the Orient The book explores the variety of gardens that have developed over the centuries under the cultural influences of the Ottoman Empire, the Italian Renaissance, the French Baroque and English Naturalism. A wide selection of Central European gardens is discussed and explored: the great royal gardens, the smaller monastic gardens and the urban town-house examples. The book is divided into chapters according to countries and regions and includes gardens such as Sans Souci, Prague Castle, Esterhaza, Brancusi sculpture garden and Trsteno Park. Each chapter begins with an introduction describing the cultural history of that country's garden design, detailing climatic conditions, flora and plants imported to complement local characteristics. A detailed description of selected gardens follows accompanied by specially commissioned photographs which provide details of the gardens' special features.