 Quintessential Quinta – Looking
hopeful for Argentinian Garden
Amidst claims of corruption in officialdom, property development
has in recent months been threatening a peaceful Argentinian
garden that can be traced back to the 16th century. What is
now the Museo Juan Martîn de Pueyrredón began life
as a small-holding planted with trees, vines and olives. In
the 18th century a house with a gallery overlooking the River
Plate was built around a central courtyard planted with oranges
and beds of aromatic herbs. In the next century this became
home to General Pueyrredón, a major political figure
in the liberation of Argentina, who upgraded the property to
make it grander and more befitting his status. He gave the garden
tree-lined walkways, classical symmetry and peach and carob
trees. He also built a Grecian mirador with a panoramic view
of the river. |
In 1850 the property passed to Pueyrredón’s son, the famous
painter Prilidiano. He made further changes, adding a clipped box
design, with magnolias and geometric flowerbeds. In later periods
many flowering plants were added, but the existing garden is a
restoration of Prilidiano’s garden, with a precious variety of trees,
many of them of local importance.
Today the property is a Historic National Monument, owned by the
town council and run as a museum. Unfortunately, this did not stop
developers hoping to build an apartment block nearby. This would
have ruined the Quinta’s famous view over the river, while the
large underground car park would have affected the water table
and destroyed many of the wonderful trees.
The Friends of the Museum, headed by a descendent of the
General, Marcelo White Pueyrredón, fought the proposals (with
some help from the Historic Gardens Foundation) and the
authorities have now rejected
the application.
Linden Groves (January 2005) |
