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The History of the Pergola

For centuries people have sought shade and shelter from inclement weather under garden pergolas. The earliest open-air lattices with supporting pillars were covered with climbing vines and fruit-bearing trees. Their popularity soared during the Renaissance.

  1. Egypt

    • Ancient Egyptians created pergolas from fruit trees such as the fig.

      Plants with vines, like grapes, trellised up man-made pergola supports in ancient Egyptian gardens. Fruit trees such as pomegranate and figs were also used as the intertwining branches created covered arched walkways. Wealthier families sometimes placed gardens on upper stories of houses. Here the pergolas were cooled by northern breezes and still provided views of surrounding countryside. Pergolas often surrounded garden ponds as another means for Egyptians to escape the heat.

    Italy

    • White roses were grown in pergolas of Florence's Villa Quaracchi.

      During the Renaissance many people, particularly those in the arts, sought inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. Italians were the first to develop lavish gardens and include pergolas. In Italian pergola means "a close walk of boughs." In 1459 Leon Battista Aberti, a renowned architect, designed Florence's Villa Quaracchi and its gardens. The latter had at least three pergolas in the gardens. Fashioned from rounded evergreen branches, white roses grew between the branches. Near Florence the Medici Villa of Il Trebbio still possess an original pergola from the early 15th century.

    France

    • In 1494 Charles VIII of France and his troops invaded Italy. There they were introduced to the many artistic styles of the Italians, including gardening with its covered pergolas. Soon French nobility began gardening as a way to express creativity. By the 16th century the gardens had become intricate places to gather inspiration. Renee of France, daughter of King Louis XII, had pergolas built in her gardens at Montargis. Italian-born Catherine de' Medici, a later Queen of France, did the same at the Jardin de la Reine at Chateau of Fontainebleau.

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Landscaping Walks & Pathways
  1. The History of Webbing Stretchers
  2. Japanese Zen Gardens History
  3. The History of Stenciling
  4. The History of Poole Pottery
  5. History of the Bulldozer
  6. The History of Sunflower Seeds
  7. The History of Gutters
  8. History of the Wing Chair
  9. The History of Container Gardening
  10. Climbing Plants & Pergolas
  11. Pergola Structures
  12. The History of Busch Gardens

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