Hanging Gardens of Casa del Rey Moro - Ronda

In the Casa del Rey Moro, the French landscape architect Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier wanted to create a garden for the senses based on his concept of "Mediterranean garden". It is a type of garden inspired by Spanish-Islamic art, reminiscent of the gardens of the Alhambra or the Alcazar of Seville; that integrates fruit trees and aromatic plants, adapted to the climate of Ronda to arouse sensations all year round; and which is organized by geometric parterres evoking the French landscape tradition.

Forestier organized the narrow space in front of the garden, which overlooks the Tagus on the north side, via three terraces with a small space in between. Short steps connect each terrace to make up for this difference. And the water in motion is what unites them: in the upper terrace , Forestier installed a fountain that pours its water into a channel that flows into the pond of the lower terrace. This longitudinal moat, flanked by avenues for walking, is reminiscent of the characteristic garden-garden of Islamic culture, traditionally developed in courtyards with irrigation ditches.

On either side of the water channel are the flowerbeds, with hedges of cypress, boxwood and myrtle , trimmed with geometric shapes, as is customary in French horticulture. In addition to these plants, Forestier planted many others that could provide special visual and aromatic sensations of great beauty. Among them were the rose bushes, which have been unable to thrive because they are now shaded by a huge invasive pine tree. Also the bulbous laurel plants at the foot of each staircase, or the enormous wisteria that in spring, during flowering, offers a magnificent spectacle of mauve colors on the pergola .

The pergola is another element that gives continuity to the different terraces: it extends over the entire south side and provides shade. To enjoy this shade, on the upper terrace there are several benches to rest, completely covered with tiles, in the style of the decoration of the gardens of the Spanish-Islamic and Mudejar art.

Willem Vandenameele