Wednesday 8 April 2009

1923 – Short Guide to the Gardens

Summary of directions guiding the visitor around Monserrate from Walter Oates, 1923

“the garden being very steep in places the easiest way of seeing it is here indicated”

ENTRANCE GATES
Turn sharp left and follow the narrow flagged path downwards

ARCHWAY OF HUGE GRANITE BOULDERS
Cascade

THE PATH CROSSES THE EDGE OF THE POOL
By means of stepping stones

Fine view of the fern covered ravine … to the Palacio beyond

THE PATH DESCENDS IN ZIG-ZAGS

Till it reaches a level path, shaded by plane trees

HERE TURN LEFT
Leads to the ruins of the ancient chapel
In a rough niche stands an Etruscan sarcophagus
From the terrace a good view of part of the lawn on the opposite slope

FROM THE CHAPEL, CONTINUING THE SAME LEVEL PATH
Partial view of the lake

FARTHER ALONG THE SAME PATH
To the left are natural woods
A fine view of the Palacio can be obtained

FARTHER ON A SMALL CORK-COVERED SEAT
From this point the path descends by easy flagged steps
Past a small wood of Camellias to a little old tank

ANOTHER BEND IN THE PATH
Leads down to the torrent in the ravine
Here, between a laurel bush and a giant Camellia
another ancient sarcophagus

AT THIS POINT THE RAVINE NARROWS RAPIDLY
From here on the slope above is known as Mexico
To the left rhododendrons … palms … cycads and cacti
Paths lead through and around this part; but it is more interesting to look down on it from the path above

TO THE RIGHT OF THE TANK IS A SMALL CURVING PATH
Leading to the lower edge of the lawn
Where stands a very fine specimen of Araucaria bidwillii

RETURN TO THE PATH BY THE TANK AND FOLLOW IT TO THE RIGHT
On the steep slope up to the right are … Nolina …. Phoenix

AT THE FORKED PATH TAKE THE ONE BEARING TO THE RIGHT
From here one has a view of the opposite hillside
Best comprehensive view of … the ravine below

HENCE THE PATH WINDS GENTLY UPWARDS THROUGH A WOOD OF GNARLED OLD CORK TREES
Allowing glimpses over gardens and mountains
LEADING OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOW RIDGE FACING W. and N.
Enormous pines … with groups of camellias and rhododendrons beneath

ON THE RIGHT A LARGE GROUP OF AGAPANTHUS, FARTHER ALONG A LARGE OAK
And a glimpse of the lawn

A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG ON THE LEFT A HUGE METROSIDERUS
And the rose garden
Extensive view across the Rose garden … to the blue Atlantic

TO THE RIGHT THE LAWN SLOPES UP TO THE PALACIO
From this point is obtained a fine view of the old Quinta de Piedade

CORK TREE
View of the Rose garden
Lawn on the right
Next to the path a cork seat
On the left primitive woods

ON TO A GROUP OF LARGE EVERGREEN OAKS
With a semicircular seat in their shade
Fine views of the countryside
Partial view of the Palacio

FROM THIS POINT THE PATH CONTINUES ALONG THE SAME LEVEL
Joins the main path again at another point

TAKE THE ZIG-ZAG PATH UP ACROSS THE LAWN TO BELOW THE TERRACE OF THE PALACIO
Path to the left is strictly private as is also the terrace above

TAKE THE PATH TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE LAWN
On the left the south façade of the Palacio
Fine specimen of Macrozamia Macleayi

HERE THE PATH DESCENDS
From the shade of a Phoenix canariensis a good view of the old chapel

THE PATH IS NOW LEVEL AGAIN AND RUNS STRAIGHT FOR SOME DISTANCE
fine collection of plants Salisburia (GINKGO) Sabal umbraculifera Grevillea robusta
statue of a sleeping cupid
a fine glimpse through magnificent Kauri Pines and Magnolia trees gives on to the lower lawn and the lakes up to the rock-strewn Serra
farther along the path an Irish Yew

THE PATH NOW BENDS TO THE LEFT, PAST THE CORNER OF THE BIG TANK
here the path joins another at right angles
to the right it leads back to the old chapel

WE TURN LEFT … PASSING THROUGH THE ARCHWAY … TURN LEFT. THROUGH AN OLD INDIAN GATEWAY OF CARVED RED SANDSTONE
is reached a small terrace with red brick pergolas covered with Wisteria
the view of the lowers gardens already described, only even more beautiful
on the other side one looks down on to the old nursery
there are paths leading through this part
here the easier path from the seat under the evergreen oaks joins the main path again
beyond this point, towards the Palacio the drive is kept private, for access to the residence only.

FROM THE TERRACE THE DRIVE TURNS SLIGHTLY UPHILL TURNING TO THE LEFT THROUGH THE STABLE YARD
Good general collection of plants

THE PATH TO THE GATE, HOWEVER, FOLLOWS THE ROUGH FLAGGED, EASY STAIRWAY,
under some very large Cork Oaks.
This is the easiest way out.

NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE PATH ANOTHER LEVEL PATH BEARS OFF TO THE RIGHT
Leading to the waterfalls in the ravine
It also leads back to the entrance gate, being the shorter way but very steep

BETTER TO TURN BACK AND TAKE THE FLAGGED PATH ONCE MORE
By which one arrives at the drive, opposite the lawn at the main gateway.

TWO HOURS IS A CONVENIENT TIME IN WHICH TO VISIT THE GARDEN COMFORTABLY

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