Monday, April 20, 2009

Jasmine Hill Garden Part 1


Jasmine Hill Garden was a labor of love created by Mary and Ben Fitzpatrick. They moved into a modest 1830 era cottage in the early 1930’s and it was there this wonderful garden was concieved and brought to life. The Fitzpatricks made over twenty trips to Greece to purchase the art objects used in the garden. This beautiful creation grew to twenty acres and is a true treasure to behold. I’ve lived here for eighteen years, less than twenty minutes away and I can’t believe it took me this long to make my first trip.

The entrance to the garden is through the Olympian Centre. The front façade was built as an exact replica of the Temple of Hera as it appeared in the 7th Century B.C. As you approach the temple entrance there is no indication of the treasure on the other side.

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This post would be entirely too long if I commented on every photo like I would love to do, so I’ll just interject comments here and there with my thoughts and let you just enjoy the photos. This will be the first of three post that I will put up this week.

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This incredible marble well head came from Florence, Italy.

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This is a replica of 'Venus of Melos' that was carved from Parian marble during the 2nd Century B.C. by an unknown artisit. It was uncoverd on the Greek island of Melos in 1820.

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I love this piece, it’s the ‘Dying Gaul’. This work was origianlly cast in bronze in the 3rd Century B.C. and has been lost.

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In the center of this beautiful pond is ‘The Marathon Boy’. The original statue was found in the sea near Marathon in almost perfect condition in 1925. How amazing is that? This treasure was created in the 4th Century B.C. and now rests in the National Museum in Athens. In the background you can see the Fitzpatrick cottage.

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17 comments:

Gail said...

Incredible...such antiquity and beautiful sculptures for their cottage! gail

Phillip Oliver said...

One of my favorite places and I can't believe you've never been until now. Michael and I went to Callaway Gardens and stopped there on our way to Bellingrath on the first vacation we ever took. It looks like it is in better shape than ever. Are the hours still limited? "Dying Gaul" is our favorite too. I'd love to have one of him in the garden!

tina said...

Yes, truly incredible. I love all the statuary. So wonderful the treasures from days of past and to be preserved in a natural garden setting is a real treasure.

Jan said...

Thanks for the tour of such a lovely garden. I love the photo of well with the hanging basket. I love sculpture in a natural setting; it seems so appropriate rather than in a museum.

Jan
Always Growing

Randy said...

Gail,
I guess that just goes to show you that a garden can be as grand as you like regardless of the size of your home.:-)

Phillip,
I searched online last night for DG statue and couldn find anything but the tiny ones.

Tina,
It only gets better, unfortunately looking at my pictures isn't the same as being there.

Jan, you live close enough it was definitely be worth the overnight trip. It's beautiful!

F Cameron said...

Stunning! Where (in Georgia?) is this garden located. It's interesting to see what statuary was uncovered during the 1800-early 1900's. These are great examples and look as wonderful as what I've seen in the museums in Greece! One son is an archaeologist and has been on two digs on Crete (Knossos and I can't remember the other one). He'd love to see these gardens sometime.

Cameron

Randy said...

Cameron,
This Garden is in Wetumpka, Alabama about ten minutes outside of Montgomery. The best time to see the garden would be in late March when the azaleas are blooming. We just missed them, but I don't care, it was still a breath taking experience.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful statues were placed in this garden. I love how it feels like you are in another country. :)

Randy said...

Racquel,
This couple absolutely loved Greece. Could you imagine walking out your back door and seeing this every morning?

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Wow, they sure had a life's purpose creating that garden!!!

Randy said...

Monica,
I wish you could see it in person. It's just amazing...

Dirt Princess said...

Well I feel like a TOTAL fool!!! How is this 2 hours from me and I have never heard of it!!! I apparently have been under a rock. I am going to get the Garden Club together and go visit. What an amazing place...right here in my own back yard!

Randy said...

Dirt Princess I felt the same way. I knew the garden was there, but I had no idea how incredible it was. I'll be posting the final pictures tomorrow.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

That little cottage is dwarfed by the garden...as it should be. :) It is marvelous.

Margaret Roach said...

Taking this tour, and your subsequent ones in later installments, I realize I am in very short supply on the statuary front over here. Oh, dear. Thanks for the lovely visit.

Randy said...

Wow! Margaret, what an honor you took time to visit our blog. How in the world do you manage everything that you do? This has just made my evening. :-) At one point I was concerned we were getting too much in our garden. I don't think so now, LOL. If you ever find your way to Alabama make certain you check out this garden, you will not be disappointed.--Randy

Annie in Austin said...

What a wonderful place, Randy & Jamie - and you live less than 1/2 hour away? I'm just as shocked as Phillip is!

If I'm reading the website right this garden is only open in March, April & May unless you're with a tour group or lucky enough to be invited to a wedding held on the grounds. Or lucky enough to me married in this garden!

The contrast between the almost-banklike entrance and the weathered paths within is startling.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose