André Heller Garden in Gardone
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History

ANDRÉ HELLER GARDEN IN GARDONE

When considering a garden design, we should seek inspiration in the Botanical Garden of Gardone, which can be found in Via Roma. The place is currently owned by Fondazione André Heller and is open to public from March to October every year.

The origins of the garden go back to the third decade of the 20th century. In the years between 1910 and 1914, Arthur Hruska (1880 – 1971), a dentist and botanist, founded the central element of the garden, which, essentially, was a vineyard and an olive grove. His dream of creating a world garden had finally come true. Throughout the years, Hruska planted new exotic plans, created artificial mounds, directed the flow of streams, thus creating multiple ponds and lakes. The landscape that resulted from his work stayed very close to nature and inspires the feeling of harmony and peace. After Hruska’s death, the garden fell into neglect and was only recovered 17 years later after having been taken over by the André Heller Foundation.

André Heller Garden
Image: hellergarden.com

The Heller Foundation has been maintaining the garden with over 2000 species of plants with the addition of modern sculptures forming a soothing and harmonious environment.

The garden exhibits works by Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Susanne Schmögner, Erwin Novak, Edgar Tezak, Rudolf Hirt and, naturally, the current owner. The hills surrounding the town create a unique microclimate, which allows successful vegetation of central European and Mediterranean species of plants including citrus and cypress trees and agaves. Today, the town of Gardone Riviera is famous for its large number of parks and gardens.

Gardone Riviera, Gazebo and Torre San Marco
Image: Old postcard, 1920

It is important to mention that Villa Ruhland was built at the end of the year 1900 by Richard Langensiepen, who, apart from being a successful industrialist, was also a passionate gardener.

The property, set on the area of 2440m2, was originally planned as a park by Arthur Hruska as his first assignment in 1905.