Garden of Eden, Private villa garden on Giudecca island, Venice, Italy
The Garden of Eden is a private villa garden on Giudecca island featuring English-style landscaping that spreads across several acres with roses, flower beds, and statues overlooking the lagoon. The grounds display a mix of organized plantings and natural vegetation that reflects different design approaches developed over time.
The garden was established in 1884 by Frederic Eden, brother-in-law of garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, who transformed a former artichoke field into a manicured landscape. Later, from 1979 to 2000, the property underwent significant changes under Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser's ownership and vision.
The garden attracted writers like Marcel Proust and Henry James in the early 1900s, who came for social gatherings and literary exchanges. This history shows how the place served as a meeting point for Venice's intellectual circles.
The site is not currently open to the public and remains in private hands. Access for visitors is not available, though there may be occasional announcements about restoration plans or special viewing opportunities in the future.
Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser used his ownership to radically reshape the garden by letting nature grow freely rather than keeping strict control over plantings. This artistic stewardship created an unexpected contrast to the original English garden design.
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