First recreation of the earliest garden types in the world, Ancient Egyptian Garden opens for visitors to Hamilton Gardens from tomorrow, 10 May.
Mayor Paula Southgate and Egyptian Ambassador Her Excellency, Dina Farouk El Sehy will officially open the Ancient Egyptian Garden and adjacent Palm Court at a ceremony today.
Hamilton Gardens is believed to be the first to recreate an Ancient Egyptian Garden and its opening marks the earliest garden in Hamilton Gardens concept, telling the 4000-year story of gardens and civilisations from 2040BCE to now.
Gardens in ancient Egyptian times were sacred spaces that very few ordinary Egyptians would ever have been allowed to enter. This garden has been chosen to tell the story of how a belief in the afterlife has shaped human culture from the earliest times.
The Temple Garden at Hamilton Gardens is based on a typical temple from the Middle Kingdom period (2040 BCE to 1782 BCE). Temple gardens produced the floral, vegetable and fruit offerings for these sacred rituals. They grew the plants used in perfumes for anointing statues to the gods and garlands of flowers for religious processions.
“For ancient Egyptians, life on earth was a preparation for the dangerous journey into the afterlife. Temples and their gardens were a meeting place between heaven, earth, and the underworld,” says Hamilton Gardens Director Lucy Ryan.
“Temple compounds all shared a similar, highly symbolic design. They were enclosed by high walls. The gardens featured a central, rectangular pool, with pergolas covered in grape vines and rows of trees often linked with irrigation channels,” said Ryan.
The Ancient Egyptian Garden will form part of the ‘Productive Garden collection’ at the Hamilton Gardens, a collection of productive gardens that each address aspects of the relationship between people and plants.
The opening of the Palm Court from tomorrow also means people can now hire the Hamilton Club Summerhouse for private events.
Hamilton Gardens is currently free for all visitors and open 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas.
– from NewsViews
