Gazebos – Timeless Structures
Gazebos have been some of the most remarkable and beautiful architectural innovations used in landscaping, being constructed at the most popular landmarks in the world.
These pavilion structures have existed for 5,000 years. According to some historical accounts, gazebos were used as a place of worship, to communicate with the gods. However, the word was first coined in the 18th century when gazebos first came out in England. The word was derived from the word “gaze” and combined with another word “ebo,” which is a Latin suffix. Ebo means “I shall”, which completed the phrase, “I shall gaze”.
The earliest Roman gazebos were made out of marble and were typically located in the summer homes of the privileged. These gazebos could also be seen in public places.
On the other hand, one of the earliest models of garden gazebo was constructed at the Louvre in Paris. The English followed this model as it became widely famous. They adapted this gazebo structure, as witnessed in the Elizabethan gardens during the 1400s.
Orientals also modelled their own gazebos. For the Chinese and Japanese, their teahouses were inspired by these structures. Their style of gazebo was also followed by most Europeans in the 18th century.
In the United States, gazebos became popular in the middle of the 19th century. The backyard gazebo gained back its popularity in the 1930s among affluent people. They then lost prominence until they became popular again in the 1980s.
Today, these wonderful structures are still being built to add appeal to a garden setting.
