Planetagarden
The symbolic planting and use of gardens in the medieval era was a powerful metaphor for paradise as well as divine and romantic love. The monks often grew herbs, vegetables and flowers within a hortus conclusus ('enclosed garden'), courtyard or cloister of the monastery.
What was a medieval garden called?
A Pleasaunce was a large complex pleasure garden or park. The word paradise comes from a Persion word for a walled garden. The term was used by St. Gall to refer to an open court in monastery garden, where flowers to decorate the church were grown.
What is a monastery garden?
The monastery garden is a symbolic place where medicinal plants have both therapeutic use and religious meaning. The cloister is a natural as well as a spiritual space, where the monastic virtues are expressed by the geometry of the alleys and the floral composition.
Why did monasteries have gardens?
Monastic gardens provided medicine and food for the monks and for the local community. Herbs were cultivated in the 'physic garden' composed of well-ordered rectangular beds, while orchards, fishponds and dovecotes ensured there would be food for all.
