Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Gardens have always fascinated humans, and one of the most famous is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Experts believe King Nebuchadnezzar II built them around 575 BC. Alternatively, some theories suggest the Assyrian queen Semiramis constructed them. The gardens featured terraces and an advanced irrigation system that brought greenery to the ancient city.
According to legend, Nebuchadnezzar built the gardens for his wife, the Persian princess Amitis, who missed the mountains of her homeland. Archaeologists have not determined their exact location, but excavations in Nineveh uncovered tablets depicting palm trees on rooftops. These discoveries led researchers to suggest that the gardens were in Babylon and served as a gathering place for people across the East.
One of the Largest Orchards in Europe
Another remarkable garden is located in Nigde, central Turkey. It spans about 10 km and contains roughly 1.5 million apple trees across eight varieties. One hundred and eighty full-time gardeners tend to the trees. During harvest season, the team grows to 750 people. Together, they collect nearly 20,000 tons of apples for export throughout Europe.
This orchard, established in 1999, cultivates the following varieties:
- Gala
- Golden Superb
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Starking
- Crimson Snow
- Pink Lady
Harvesting runs from the first week of August to the first week of November. Afterward, buyers in Ankara and Isparta purchase the apples and export them to various European and Arab countries. Consequently, this orchard has become a vital hub for high-quality apple production.
Keukenhof Garden
Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof sits in the southern Netherlands. The name ‘Keukenhof’ means “kitchen garden” because early herbs from the garden supplied the castle kitchen. In 1949, the mayor of Lisse organized the first Keukenhof flower show. The goal was to showcase hybrids from growers across the Netherlands and Europe, boosting the Dutch flower industry, which remains the world’s largest exporter of flowers.
Today, Keukenhof continues to attract visitors from around the world, offering breathtaking displays of tulips, daffodils, and other blooms each spring. It remains a prime example of the art and commerce of gardening.