Restoration of the Palace Gardens at the former royal estate of Tatoi continues as part of an overall plan to restore and promote Tatoi.

The central idea of ​​the study, on which the Central Council of New Monuments gave a unanimous positive opinion, is the restoration of the gardens based on their original design, as well as modern principles of fire protection and sustainability.

Announcement

As Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni stated, “The restoration and improvement of the palace gardens is part of the overall plan of the Ministry of Culture and Sports to restore and improve the historical core of Tatoi in the context of its strategic use as a monumental ensemble. Historical documentation, the institutional framework for the conservation and restoration of historic gardens, topographic features, the use of appropriate plant material adapted to the microclimate and resistant to fire, and the use of materials based on the principles of reversibility and sustainability are the main parameters for the design of a rehabilitation study. The gardens are being revived as an important part of the spatial composition and life of the former royal residence, as well as the experience of today’s visitor.”

The location of the Gardens is south of the Palace and Kitchen building complex and very close to Lefka Gate. The northernmost level of the Gardens is at the highest level, including the formations directly connected to the Palace. From this level begins a symmetrical double wide marble staircase to access the lower level of the Gardens. The immediate lower level, which includes an ellipsoidal fountain and a pool, was built in the 1950s. From this level, a central Alley of Gardens is formed downward, which plays an important role in the spatial organization of the gardens, and on both sides, paths are arranged in concentric circles. Separate carousels appear at the intersections of transverse passages with a circular arrangement. An additional node is defined at the center of the spiral, as the end of the path in the Labyrinth. In the center and east of the Alley, the design supports the logic of the walk. The sector to the west of Alea contains utilitarian functions such as a conservatory and a tennis court.

The study intervention area includes an area of ​​34 acres and a perimeter of 762 meters. The role of trees is very important in the composition of plant material. About 450 trees have been planted. The paths follow the original drawings as they exist and are identified by the traces of their demarcation. The creation of permeable surfaces contributes to the development of biodiversity, providing natural conditions in the environment, contributing to the development of local flora and fauna.

The Study on the Restoration of the Palace Gardens in Tatoi was prepared by Elli Pangalu and sponsored by AEGEAS AMKE under the Ministry of Culture and Sports. The implementation of the project is financed by 3,000,000 euros from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

The estate was purchased by George I in 1872. The palace was completed in 1886 and the gardens in 1890. The creation of gardens around the palace, as well as the renovation of the entire estate, was the work of Ludovicos Munter, Danish forester and philellenic, director of the estate (1873-1892). In 1916, the Great Fire broke out, from which the New Palace and the Gardens were saved. In 1924-1926, a ten-year program of the Higher Forestry and Higher Agricultural Schools was implemented to manage the Gardens. In the 1950s, a pool was added to the level of the grotto. The mega-fire of 2021 destroyed most of the plantings, which will be restored with the completion of the project.