Gardenvisit.com The Garden Guide

Book: History of Garden Design and Gardening
Chapter: Chapter 5: Gardens in Asia, America, Africa, Australia

Tangier gardens Morocco

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818. At Tangier, the gardens which belong to the European consuls are situated without the walls, and are said, by Capel Brooke, to 'add greatly to the few enjoyments of a residence at Tangier. The two best worth visiting are those of the Swedish and Danish consuls. The former are close to the upper gates; and, from their commanding situation, afford a very striving view of the whole town, the, Alcasaba, and the Straits of Gibraltar, terminated in the distance, on the European side, with that fortress. On entering the grounds, one cannot help being agreeably surprised, in a place like Tangier, where every thing is neglected and in ruins, not only at their beauty and extent, but at the order in which they are kept by the personal attention of Colonel Ehrinhoff, the Swedish consul-general, who is a skilful horticulturist. The Danish consul's gardens, which are more remote from the town, are exceedingly extensive, and present a striking character of wildness and picturesque beauty. In the centre is a lofty tower, from which a very extensive and interesting inland view is obtained. These gardens, which now belong to M. Schousboe, the Danish consul-general, were the property, in former times, of Ali the Great, pacha of Tangier, who erected the tower.' (Ibid., vol. ii. p. 293.)