*4.1. Garden Renovation (Revitalisation)*

Garden reconstruction is based on the historical sources available, the heritage features of the site that are possible to identify, and the stylistic elements and analogies of a specific period. The park is renovated with a distinct application of the stylistic elements of the period most relevant to the site and with additional functions to meet the actual demands.

A good example of the renovation of the internal and external axial views is the Mikes Castle Garden in Zabola (Zabala, RO) [26].

The Mikes Castle in Zabola was built by Zsigmond Mikes in the 1620s as a two-storey Renaissance building with a quadratic layout. In the course of time, the castle underwent several renovations. Its current appearance dates back to 1867 when Benedek Mikes renovated the old building in Neoclassical style and extended it into three storeys. Both the castle and the 36 ha dendrological park that surrounds the building that were established in the 1880s in late landscape garden style are listed heritage assets. The property was nationalised in 1949, and both the buildings and the park significantly decayed in the second half of the 20th century. Elements of the listed heritage were irrecoverably damaged. The 2002 restitution returned the residence to the rightful owner, opening the opportunity for the renovation of the castle and the park.

In the course of the garden history research, it was possible to discover sources that could provide a basis for the reconstruction of the original spatial structure that had been only partially preserved by the beginning of the 21st century.

Two plans served as that foundation for the renovation of visual links. The construction of the park was started by the owner, Count Benedek Mikes in the 19th century, thereafter continued and completed by his son Ármin Mikes. A garden masterplan scaled 1:1000 and named *Blatt zur Konzeption II.* has been preserved from this period (Figure 6a). Although some of the details have never been realised, other details justify the appropriateness of the design concept, even nowadays. The title of the plan also hints at there having been a first development concept (presumably named *Blatt zur Konzepzion I.)*, which has not been found. A key person of the creation of the castle garden was Achille Duchene2, a renowned French landscape architect [27].

Matched against the historic photographs, the old plans revealed the full layout of the terraces, which provided ground for the then functional (tennis courts, leisure grounds) and ornamental (rose garden, carpet beds) units, and also organised the visual links (Figures 6b and 7).

<sup>2</sup> Achille Duchene (1866–1947), was a master of French geometric gardens in the first decades of the 20th century. His works may be found worldwide. He designed formal landscape gardens with distant and framed views. Main sites of his projects include: The Wigwam Garden, Villa Ephrussi de Rotschild, The Carolands, Courances Garden, Vaux le Vicomte Garden, Champs sur Marne, Courances and others. Also, he was the one who made the restoration plan for the water parterres of Blenheim Palace in England.

**Figure 6.** Renovation of terraces (**b**) and visual connections in the case of the Mikes Castle Garden in Zabola (Zabala, RO), based on analysis of old plans (**a**) and field survey. Design: Fekete, A.; Magdó, J.; Jávori, K. 2008–2010. Photo by the Mikes Family, 2014.

**Figure 7.** Terrace renewal in a minimalistic style, Mikes Castle Garden, Zabola (Zabala, R.O.). Source: Photo Mikes Family Archive, 1911 (**a**); photo by Fekete, A., 2013 (**b**).

With reference to the original plans preserved, an authentic renovation plan was prepared, with emphasis on the reconstruction of internal and external visual links. The geometric system of the terraces has been completely reconstructed, with the original mass and visual links restored. Nevertheless, taking into consideration new user demands, the terraces have been renovated without restoring also the former ornamental elements (rose garden, carpet beds, trimmed evergreen, and deciduous hedges) of the garden, with only lawn-covered horizontal surfaces and slopes, using and renovating the old structures of stairs (monolith stairs and columns, balustrades) through a minimalistic garden regeneration. The heritage assessment has proved that the site fully meets the criteria for historic gardens; therefore, as necessary in such circumstances, principles of heritage conservation

must be applied. The decision for garden regeneration as the most appropriate solution is supported by the following facts:


In addition to serving the new functions, the main objectives of the design programme established in cooperation with the client were to restore the authentic spatial layout, atmosphere, and visual links that were specific to late landscape gardens, and also to renovate the related water infrastructure and the geometric system of terraces from the first years of the 20th century, adjacent to the old castle.

In the first half of the 20th century, the castle garden included a complex of wetland habitats (several ponds linked by watercourses and various structures used for water management). As a result of inappropriate management, most of the water surface had disappeared by the second half of the century, and a shrubby, woody vegetation took over the area of the former ponds. The renovation of the pond system and the wetland habitats has not only reinstated the ecological equilibrium and biodiversity but has also regenerated the internal visual links of the manor garden across the waters. Multiple versions of plans were prepared for the reconstruction of the water infrastructure (Figure 8).

**Figure 8.** The final proposal for the revitalisation of the water infrastructure (detail), with the phases scheduled, Mikes Castle Garden, Zabola (Zabala, R.O.); Phase 1—blue; Phase 2—grey; design: Fekete, A.; Magdó, J.; Jávori, K. 2008–2010.

The overgrown shrubby vegetation and the water system has been cleared throughout the garden to a necessary extent, leading to the renovation of the spatial composition (Figure 9). The careful management of the woody plants has opened the space occupied by invasive plants for the dendrologically valuable tree specimens and also started the restoration of the generous views characteristic for landscape gardens. Long bygone visual axes and views important for spatial layout and composition have been revived, the connection between the garden and the landscape is seamless, boundaries dissolve, and views are undisturbed.

**Figure 9.** Renewed pondside views and visual axes through the water mirror in the Zabola Castle Garden. Photos by Fekete, A., 2018.

## *4.2. Garden Regeneration*

The park/garden that has lost its historic features to a great extent is reconstructed on the basis of historical sources and analogies available. The solutions were applied to integrate the features of the relevant historical period into contemporary contexts. This approach establishes the opportunity of creating a contemporary work of art.

A good example of the historic garden regeneration is the case of the Regeneration of the Herb Garden and Arboretum of the Pannonhalma Archabbey, Hungary [28].

The project aimed at the regeneration of the 10-hectare Lavender Garden, and the related Herb Garden to the east of the Arboretum was also established around this time.

Similarly to the historical traditions of other orders, the Herb Garden always had an important role in Pannonhalma. Therefore, the introduction of the long traditions of the Pannonhalma Benedictines in medication and herb cultivation was a priority of the development, which has been complemented with the production of lavender oil in the past decades.

Our landscape design around the horticultural buildings of the archabbey recalls the atmosphere of traditional farmyards. The courtyard was fenced around by low stone walls, with a distinct separation of the outer versus inner areas, the farm buildings from the cultivated land. The show garden of herbs also reflects this approach. The strict geometry of the layout, the allocation of the planting beds, and the static water surface of the garden pool are all applied to strengthen the feeling of functionalism, while its scales recall the atmosphere of the historic monastery gardens. Nonetheless, with respect to the use of materials and the design of garden structures (pergola, ornamental pool), we applied contemporary solutions that are also capable of coping with the tourism load. Authentic depictions of the herb garden regarding its extent, exact location, and former design, which could have served for a direct restoration, were not available. That is why the garden was regenerated by analogies.

The layout, structures, and furniture of the garden are all geometric: benches are block-like, while the hard surfacing applies the same minor cobble stones and gravel that are general throughout the abbey. Retaining walls are all made with the grey limestone cover.

In the course of the planning, the reinforcement and highlighting of the relevant internal and external eye-catchers (the abbey tower, the new building of the distillery) and the views (towards the Arboretum and the surrounding landscape) had a priority. Faithfully to historical traditions, with the application of specific landscape design tools and accents in the composition, certain sections of the garden (e.g., the Herb Garden) were related distinctly to the abbey, while others (lavender fields) to the surrounding landscape (Figure 10).

**Figure 10.** Garden regeneration in the case of the herb garden in Pannonhalma Archabbey (HU). The view of the Cathedral's tower in the background suggest the sacred character of the site (**a**). The sub-Figure 11b shows the masterplan of the herb garden, marking with red line the renewed view towards the Cathedral's tower. Design: Fekete, A.; Vajda, Sz.; Szilágyi, K. 2010–2011. Photo by Fekete, A., 2014.

**Figure 11.** The restored pond, with the manor house in the background. Design: Fekete, A.; Rudd, M., Sárospataki, M., Weiszer, Á.; 2015. Photo by Fekete, A., 2017.

A second example of garden regeneration is the Kálnoky Castle Garden reconstruction in Miklósvár (Miclosoara, R.O.) [29]. The castle was built in Renaissance style in the 17th century. Despite several later Classical renovations, the building has preserved its Late Renaissance character. Owing to its structure and decoration, it is a noticeable monument in the Háromszék Region, reflecting representative functions of manor houses of Secler noblemen in the 17th and 18th centuries. The building is listed, managed by the former owner Kálnoky family.

Based on an analysis from the garden historical assessment criteria introduced in the doctoral thesis, the 14 ha manor park is a garden of historical value, and, according to descriptions and registers from the end of the 17th (1698) and beginning of the 18th (1716) centuries, its northern part adjacent to the manor house was a Renaissance garden with typical garden structures of the age. We have found clear descriptions or references to the pond, the gazebo on the peninsula, the wooden bridge, and the parterre flower garden [30].

The renovation of the garden was based on the following facts and findings:


In addition to serving the new functions, a main objective of the design programme established in cooperation with the client was to restore the functional units, layout, and axial views that were specific to Late Renaissance Transylvanian gardens. In this context, the renewal of the pond and the related garden structures (gazebo, wooden bridge) and the parterre garden was also proposed.

Based on historic records discovered during the garden history research, original functional units, layout, and axial views dating back to the 17th century were possible to restore so that the new functions were also properly supplied.

For the restoration of the pond and the retaining walls, beyond the evidence of written records, landform analysis has also confirmed the location of the pond during the site survey. Fed by a creek, the pond was located at the lowest part of the site, close to the creek.

As an open surface with visual links, the pond is an important element of the spatial structure of the garden, providing emphasis to the built features and supporting planned views. Its reflective surface also heightens the visual effects and experience (Figure 11). At the same time, the pond also served for economic purposes and used as a fish pond as it was typical for ponds in manor gardens in this period.

The castle is located at an elevation of 2.5 m above the pond behind the house. This position is beneficial not only for flood prevention and static reasons but also for the appearance and garden views: providing an accent to the castle that is, therefore, visible also from beyond the garden.

The levels of the castle and the pond were connected with a double line of parallel retaining walls. In the course of time, similarly to the dried bottom of the pond, the retaining walls also became filled and covered. Their line was, however, possible to be traced by the landform. The original location and structure of the retaining walls and the pond bottom were identified through archaeological survey, using an archaeological trench. The reconstruction of the retaining walls was based on the excavation and study of the structures well preserved underground. (Figure 12).

(**a**) (**b**)

**Figure 12.** The castle facade towards the pond with the retaining walls in 2014 (**a**) and after the reconstruction in 2016 (**b**). The archaeological excavation of the retaining wall (**c**) and the renewed retaining wall (**d**). Photos by Fekete, A, 2017.

The gazebo is a pavilion-like roofed garden structure, mentioned in the 16th and 17th-century garden descriptions from Northern Hungary, Southern Hungary, and Transylvania [31].

The gazebo as an eye-catcher was also a basic feature in the late renaissance garden. The regeneration design of it was based on descriptions of gazebos from other Late Renaissance gardens in both Transylvania and the historical Upper Hungary, and also on the study of the characteristic elements of the 17th-century Transylvanian architecture, the wooden belfries that have been preserved at various places.

Despite the fact that written sources of the octagonal gazebo are scarce, it was possible to reconstruct it so that the size, shape, structural details, and materials are authentic (Figure 13).

**Figure 13.** View and technical details of the gazebo in Miklósvár, constructed according to historical descriptions and analogical examples and used as an eye-catcher. Photo by Fekete, A., 2017.
