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The Garden of the Lords (Herrengarten) is in Bressanone (BZ), north of the Palazzo Vescovile, a XVI century building owned by the Diocese of Bolzano Bressanone. That Reinassance style noble abode was built in 1570 as a rest and recreation facility for the local clergy. It was eventually opened for the first time to the public in 1992.

Restored in 1989-1991 by the Superintendency of Bolzano (which used an original plan dating back to 1831), the garden features a geometric design, with flowerbeds bordered by box hedges; it hosts flowers, medicinal herbs and vegetables, as well as a bronze fountain in the centre.

A marble statue, placed in a niche, celebrates Pope Pius VII (1800-1823), who considerably improved and enlarged the diocese of Bressanone. The statue was originally located in the orchard of the Bishop’s Palace. Only the pergola, the orange grove and the summer house could no longer be rebuilt.

A vast 7.5-acre pomarium, of medieval origins and surrounded by walls, is about to be restored. Inside it, there are two pavilions dating back to the 1500s but rebuilt between the late 1800s and early 1900s: namely, a Chinese-style pavilion and a Japanese-style tower.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)