Unique parks
These gardens leave visitors in awe
A British millionaire realized himself in Las Pozas.
© Nailotl / Shutterstock.com
If you want to marvel at sculptures, you don't have to go to a museum. In these three gardens, visitors get to see more than just plants.
The temperatures are slowly climbing up and nature is awakening from its hibernation: March 20th marks the beginning of the calendar year of spring. Gardens are popular excursion destinations when the plants are brightly colored. But there are plants that have more to offer than just flowers and green meadows. In these three gardens, visitors immerse themselves in another world.
Las Pozas: A park in the deepest jungle
Las Pozas is hidden in the mountains of Mexico. The mystical garden is a seven-hour drive from Mexico City, near the village of Xilitla. In the deepest jungle, between waterfalls and pools, more than 36 sculptures and buildings made of concrete soar into the sky. The British multimillionaire Edward James (1907-1984) fulfilled his dream of a "Garden of Eden". In 1947, the art collector bought a coffee plantation, where he first grew orchids. When these froze to death in winter, James came up with the idea of a sculpture garden.
This idea became reality: For years bricklayers and stonemasons created surreal sculptures. There are stairs that lead to nowhere, meter-high stone hands, palaces and huge flowers made of concrete. The lifelong dream is said to have cost the eccentric Englishman five million US dollars (the equivalent of 4.2 million euros). However, the "Garden of Eden" was never finished: In 1984 Edward James died of a stroke and construction work was stopped. A foundation is now taking care of the area. The park is open to visitors, but the tour is only possible with a guide.
Sacro Bosco: The "Park of the Monsters"
From the "Garden of Eden" to the "Sacred Forest": The Sacro Bosco is located north of Rome and already inspired the artist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) with his peculiar sculptures. Vicino Orsini, a nobleman from the 16th century, had the park laid out in memory of his deceased wife. Over the years, the sculptures have become more and more wondrous: For example, there is a woman on a turtle, an elephant with a tower on its back and two fighting giants. Eerie stone grimaces give you goose bumps. The "Park of the Monsters" is also littered with enigmatic inscriptions, the meanings of which can only be guessed at.
Oasis in Marrakech: Anima by André Heller
A mysterious atmosphere surrounds the visitors in the garden Anima. This is located 27 kilometers outside the Moroccan city of Marrakech. The Austrian artist André Heller (73) has fulfilled a dream on three hectares. On the barren piece of land he created a "botanical staging", as it is called on the artist's official website. The sculpture park has been open to visitors since April 2016 under the motto: "The return of paradise".
An oriental gate marks the entrance to another world. The sculptures are embedded between meter-high palm trees, cacti, bamboo forests and other exotic plants. There is something new to discover at every corner – from a Berber tent to a mirror house to a mosaic head. Anima is a true oasis and a perfect destination for those who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are not masses of tourists here, as the number of visitors is limited – even without the corona pandemic. Behind the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, a free shuttle takes visitors to "Paradise".