The Medieval Garden
The University of Perugia's Medieval Garden is located on the first site of the Benedictine
monastery, San Pietro (Saint Peter). It is thought to be the site of the old city Cathedral and
contains many important pre-existing elements including a segment of an old Etruscan-Roman
road, the city gate dating back to the year 1200, and the ruins of buildings erected by the
Benedictines at the end of the 16th century). The Garden is an unusual one in that it is meant
to be a “symbolic” place, created on the basis of the abstract concept of a medieval monastic
garden. Thus, the decisions regarding the placement of some of the plants were made based
upon religious and cultural criteria reflecting myths and beliefs typical of the period.
Furthermore, the Garden houses a collection of vegetable species, which are of scientific value
because they contain DNA that allows for the study of the plants' ancient genetic lines.
Historically, the Garden is reminiscent of the Hortus conclusus, a garden surrounded by a wall
in which medicinal herbs and edible plants were grown, typically a part of the medieval
monasteries.
The Garden Itinerary
The entrance of the Medieval Garden can be reached by crossing the monastery’s first
courtyard and proceeding through a short entryway, once the home of Father Cellerarius, the
monastery's Procurement Officer. The suggested itinerary is symbolically reminiscent of Man's
evolutionary, cultural, and spiritual phases which are articulated in 10 successive stages
beginning with the “primordial state” or the Garden of Eden and ending with “Sanctity”
represented by the monastery of San Pietro. The first part of the Garden, elliptically-shaped
like a “cosmic egg”, or the primordial cell progenitor of all living beings, symbolizes “Earthly
Paradise” (photo1). The ellipse is surrounded by water representing the four rivers of Eden
(Ghicon, Pison, Tigris, and Euphrates), and the amniotic liquid from which life originated.
Enclosed in the elliptical area are the 12 zodiac signs, the plants characteristic of each sign,
and two trees of great symbolic significance: the tree of Life (Magnolia grandiflora L.) and the
tree of Revelation (Ficus ruminalis L.). The two trees serve to mark the two extreme points,
Heaven and Earth and the Divine and Earthly, respectfully. At the center of Eden, there is a
symbolic mount, from which spring four streams representing the elements that have
nourished humanity (water, milk, honey, and wine). Also on the mount, stands the tree of
Science and Light (Olea europea L.). Further along, on the right, is the Lucus or sacred forest.
For the monks, "the sacred forest" was a symbolic place where one could sit and meditate or
experience a renewal of one's solitary, spiritual state. The Benedictines knew how to make
good use of the forests that surrounded their monasteries or that were an integral part of
them. Thanks to the monks, several biotypes of considerable interest have been passed down
to us. Among the Lucus trees there are some, such as the cedar of Lebanon, the so-called
“Strawberry tree,” the Laurel, the Linden, and the Ginkgo biloba or “tree of Eternal youth,”
that are more than one hundred years old. The itinerary route then proceeds, along the wall,
to the last section of the Medieval Garden, where the monastic Garden has been reconstructed
and includes: the Hortus sanitatis for medicinal plants and the Hortus holerorum, the
Aromatarium, and the Pomarium for edible and aromatic plant species. The Hortus sanitatis, in
particular, is symbolic of the Orto dei Semplici, a place where plant species used in the
treatment of illnesses were collected. All medieval monasteries had an Orto dei Semplici.
The common plant names used during the middle ages are displayed on the labels of the more
than two hundred species present in the garden. The common plant names are primarily based
upon famous texts from the Salerno School of Medicine, which, during that period, was one of
the most important centres of medical research in Italy. The Salerno School of Medicine set the
fundamental standards for therapy, hygiene, and nutrition which were then followed by
physicians for centuries. In the Hortus holerorum, dedicated to edible plants, there are seven
flower-beds that represent the seven planets known to the medieval world (the Sun, the Moon,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), and which highlight the important influence that the
planets and stars have on plants’ biological rhythms. Walking upwards along the Garden wall is
the Podium, or the remains of an old tower dating back to the 16th century. From the Podium,
visitors are able to enjoy the fabulous panoramic view of the Umbra Valley, Assisi, Mount
Subasio, and the Apennines.
Next on the Garden itinerary is the Theatrum (photo 2), a semi-circular structure used as an
open-air classroom. The structure was built upon the remains of an old fishpond, used by the
monks to raise fish. To exit the Hortus conclusus, follow the old Etruscan-Roman road which
leads to Perugia and pass through the old medieval gate, which is believed to date back to the
13th century. Once past the medieval gate (photo 3), and having gone up a slight hill, “the Hill
of Yggrdrasil” (photo 3), visitors return to the point of departure in front of the so-called basin
of the “Cosmic Ovulation”, oval in shape and full of water lillies. In front of the basin, there is a
terrace from which visitors can see the gable gardens across the way and the initial areas of
the medieval Garden as presented in this itinerary. The exit of the Medieval Garden opens onto
the so-called “Cloister of the Stars,” named for its eight star carvings. It was designed by
Galeazzo Alessi, the most renowned 16th century Perugian architect. The cloister is currently
being restored. (Description based on the book, A. Menghini, Il Giardino dello spirito, Perugia,
1998).
The Medieval Garden is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admittance is free.
Guided tours may be arranged by telephone at 075 585 6432.
Inauguration of the Medieval Garden
Until the 28th of September 1996, date of the Medieval Garden's inauguration, the site was
home to the University’s Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden was planted during the 1896-
1897 academic year and then transferred one hundred years later to its current location in via
San Costanzo. The Medieval Garden was conceived and designed by Alessandro Menghini,
Professor of Pharmaceutical Botany and member of the Pharmacy Faculty at the University of
Perugia.