Jardín de El Bosque, Renaissance garden in Béjar, Spain.
El Bosque Garden is a formal Renaissance green space in Béjar featuring a large pond, monumental fountains, paved squares, and tiered terraces. The entire area combines water, vegetation, and architecture in a balanced whole that encourages visitors to walk through its different sections.
The estate was built in the 16th century as a recreational retreat for the Dukes of Béjar and Plasencia, with the pond first mentioned in records from 1567. Over time, the grounds developed into a significant garden that has endured, though with periods of neglect.
The garden shapes the character of Béjar with its symmetrical pathways and elegant seating areas that invite visitors to linger. You can see how Renaissance ideals are reflected in every detail of the layout.
The garden is publicly accessible most days and can be explored on foot, with sturdy shoes recommended due to the stairs and paved pathways. The grounds have multiple levels and can become slippery when wet, so caution is advised.
Among the Italian Renaissance design grows a giant sequoia planted in the 19th century that now towers above the other trees in the garden. This unexpected botanical addition shows how the grounds evolved over the centuries and embraced new elements.
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