Seria:  Horticultură

UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA

UNIVERSITY OF CRAIOVA

Vo l. X IX ( LV ) - 2014

CIŞMIGIU GARDEN, BUCHAREST: AN INVENTORY METHOD

REGARDING VALUABLE HERITAGE ELEMENTS

Vladimir Ionuţ BOC1, Robert Mihai IONESCU1

1
Department of Landscape Architecture, Biodiversity and Ornamental Horticulture,
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, vladimirboc@gmail

Keywords: Cişmigiu Garden, Cultural landscape, Heritage inventory, Historical garden

restoration, Landscape heritage.

ABSTRACT
Management and restoration of historical parks and gardens are conditioned by
researching and evaluating heritage objects and ensembles, whether they are natural or constructed.
Currently, numerous historical landscape ensembles are in an advanced stage of decay, the identity
of the place being affected by recent interventions and by the ignorance of authorities.
The aim of the approach is based on promoting historical awareness by using a method of
landscape heritage inventory of valuable items from Cişmigiu Garden, applied in the "Mound-
Waterfall-Lake" Area. The study includes the following steps: identification of historical objects and
ensembles, surveying, historical research and assessment, organizing presentation sheets. Study’s
results can be a starting point for developing a management plan and future restoration projects for
Cişmigiu Garden.

INTRODUCTION
Historic gardens are testimonies of the past, which give identity to cities and to
local communities. Inadequate management of these sites endangers the visual identity of
those heritage landscapes in many cities across Romania. In the last decade it can be
observed an insertion of irregular elements phenomenum, which alters the composition and
ambience designed by renowned landscape architects as Karl Friedrich Mayer, Friedrich
Rebhuhn and Edouard Redont.
The present project is focused on the identification and analysis of ensembles and
objects of historical value in Cişmigiu Garden, one of oldest public gardens in Wallachya.
Cişmigiu is also one of the oldest and most representative Romanian public gardens
influnced by French Landscape Architecture. The „sompteuous rectangular green lawn
bordered by two lateral rectiliniar promenades as well as its small devious alleys which
sometimes follow the winding line of pond’s shore strikingly remind of the Jardin des
Plantes in Paris” (Harhoiu Dana, 2001).
The study was conducted in the central area of the park called "Mound-Waterfall-
Lake". (Figure 1)

MATERIAL AND METHODS

"Mound-Waterfall-Lake" area, located in the center of Cişmigiu Garden, includes
a number of ensembles with distinct characteristics. The area concentrates various historic
valuable elements and a number of
well-known places frequented by
many visitors make it one of the most
emblematic zones in the garden. Since
the late nineteenth century until today,
Cismigiu Lake views and postcards
became and still remains a prominant
landmark of the garden.
The research method consists
of three major steps: directly
documenting, indirectly documenting,
organizing material and making
presentation sheets.
Directly documentation
comprised the inventory of valuable
historic elements such as sculptures,
urban furniture, valuable trees, water Figure 1. The studied area in Cişmigiu Garden
features and landforms. Inventory
stage involved: object survey, taking photos and finding each location on the situation plan.
Indirect documentation included researching numerous written documents (books,
journals, articles) and visual (postcards, photos, movies) in order to identify dating,
historical value and original appearance of every object and ensemble.
In the final stage of the study, were drawn sheets for each item or group of
historical and environmental. The presentation sheets follow the model proposed by Violeta
Răducan, including: dating, description (materials, textures, color and size), landscape
value, plant specimens, mapping, photographs of (Răducan Violeta, 2009). Sheets are
presented in two categories. The first includes items of historical value, such as sculptures,
benches, trellises, fences and other built elements. The second one comprises ensembles of
elements such as the successive water features, the Monument of French Heroes, the
Mound, the Alignment of yews and lindens.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

„Buturuga” (“The Stump”). Made around 1900, the building is made of concrete
and the exterior texture imitates a giant clump of linden. "The stump" was surrounded by a
summer garden, famous in Bucharest
for the beer and the tasty goat loin
served there. Currently this facility is
closed. (Figure 2)
The aesthetic value of the
structure lies in its uniqueness, visible
by shape and texture. Former character
of the "Buturuga" area is affected by
ecological toilets situated nearby.
Reopening "The Stump" could
substitute some restaurants near the
lake, located in unfavourable places
aesthetically and functionally. Figure 2. “The Stump”
 The Lake Fountain. Built
in the early twentieth century, the
fountain is located in the central
area of the southern Cişmigiu Lake
and the water jet has a maximum
height of approximately 5 m. The
construction is made of natural
stone and partly covered with moss.
The structure is similar to a
pyramid, with the base (on the
bottom) of four sides of equal
length of 3.20 m and a height of
3.20 m all. Fountain height from Figure 3. The Lake Fountain
the water level is from 2.4 to 2.5 m.
The water jet dominates the south of the lake, being a landmark and a symbol of
Cişmigiu Garden. It could be seen in many postcards from different historical periods. A
negative aspect is the recent placement of a large fixture in the center of the lake, near the
fountain, affecting the overall image of the mirror of water. (Figure 3)
Statue of Gheorghe Pannu. (historical monument - code LMI 2004: B-III-mB-
20049). The bust of publicist Gheorghe Pannu, dating from 1912, is made of bronze and the
concrete pedestal base is plated with white marble. The statue is made by the sculptor
Gheorghe Horvath and was raised by the newspaper "Adevărul" in the memory of the
journalist. The height of the statue from the pedestal base is approx. 3 m.
The aesthetic value of the statue results from its profiling on the contrasting
evergreen vegetation of Buxus sp. which highlights the sculpture. It is located near two
other statues: The French Heroes Monument and the "Negresa". The location of the
sculpture is a favourable one: at the crossroads of three major paths, providing a perspective
on the end of the Great Bridge.
The Great Bridge.
Initially a wooded structure, it was
rebuilt by concrete during the lake
regularization interventions in the
1880s. The bridge is made in an
eclectic style, following the fashion
trends found in Europe during that
period. (Figure 4)
The maximum height of
the bridge arch at the water level is
2.10 m. The concrete balustrades
have a height of 80 cm. At the sides
of the bridge there are two pillars,
approx. 3.50 m height above the
water level.
The bridge offers a broad Figure 4. The Great Bridge
perspective to the southern part of the lake, one of the most popular points of interest in the
park, for skating in winter and for boating during the summer time. The bridge fits
harmoniously into the landscape with sloping silhouettes of trees and the water surface by
volumes, colours and textures. Currently, the bridge requires restoration.
 The alignment of yews and
lindens. The alignment, called "The
Promeande Axis" was conceived in
1912 by landscape architect Friedrich
Rebhunn. The alleys are located along
the "Central ground floor", linking
Queen Elizabeth Boulevard at South
and. Ştirbei Vodă Street at North.
The visual value of the
promenade axis consists of the rich
ligneous vegetation that creates a
green tunnel ambiance. The landscape
of the alley could be improved by
introducing elements of furniture
(such as lighting or bins) that fit Figure 5. The Promenade Axis
harmoniously together. (Figure 5)
The bilateral alignment is composed of Tilia sp. and Taxus baccata. The yews date
from the early twentieth century being among the oldest and most spectacular examples of
conifers in the park. The lindens are planted recently, approx. 30-40 years ago, instead the
original alignment.
The Mound and the Waterfall. The
mound is depicted on o plan of Cişmigiu for the
first time on Cerkez Survey in 1883. On the
same plan it can be observed the extension of
the southern lake. Comparing with the previous
Borroczyn plan it is likely that the mound was
created with the expansion and regularization of
the southern lake. The Mound has a relatively
circular shape with a diameter of approx. 50 m
and a maximum height of circa. 10 m. (Figure 6)
The waterfall, located on the southern
side of the mound, was performed by landscape
architect Friedriech Rebhunn in the 1920s, and Figure 6. The Mound Plan
originally bore the name of the Mayor Pache
Protopopescu. Then it was created a cave in the mound. While in Cişmigiu worked a mini-
zoo, the cave housed wild animals (bears, wolves). (Figure 7)
Today, the mound largely
maintains its original character and is one
of the most preserved areas of the park.
Cobblestone alleys bordered with rocks,
waterfalls and natural stone basin, old
fences, vegetation and the location in the
center spot of Cişmigiu gives a special
ambience to the whole garden.
Currently, the ensemble should be
restored by completing a number of fences
and trees, shrubs and undergrowths needs
to be enriched by new plantings. On top of
Figure 7. The Mound’s Cave the mound, a place frequented by visitors,
there is a lack of seats.
On the mound there are a number
of trees and shrubs, including large secular
plants, such as: a white poplar (Populus
alba), a plane (Platanus hybrida), several
groups of boxwood (Buxus semperivrens)
and yew (Taxus baccata).
The Successive Water Features.
The ensamble was made after World War I
by the German landscape architect
Friedrich Rebhunn. A water trail starts on
the mound through the waterfall basin. An
adjacent basin continues with "Negresa"
Statue and finally arrives at the pools
located near the lake, where it intersects
Figure 8. The Water Features Plan
with a stream of water that flows out of a
small cave. The pools tanks are constructed
of concrete, natural stone and pears. The
basins have an average water depth of
approx. 40 cm. (Figure 8)
The combination of successive
water features creates a link between the
mound and the lake through water and rock
elements, offering a relaxing ambience for
the visitors. In the adjacent area to the lake
there are a number of specific romantic
garden pots and sculptures. Currently, the
ornamental elements of the area are not
enhanced, and the vegetation is poorly Figure 9. The Successive Water Features
maintained. (Figure 9)
The French Heroes Monument (historical monument - code LMI 2004: B-III-
mB-20045). The French Monument, created by sculptor Ion Jalea in 1920, is dedicated to
the fallen French soldiers in Romania during World War I. The statue, made of white
marble, is surrounded by a gravel path and dark evergreen vegetation. The monument has a
height of approx. 4 m (including its base).
The contrast between vegetal and mineral highlights the statue and its location at
the intersection of several main paths, making the monument one of the most evidenced in
the park. (Figure 10)
Recently, there has been a
restoration intervention of the ensemble,
but it did not follow the visual testimonies
from the 1920s. The most negative striking
aspects are currently two vases of flowers
placed in front of the monument and the
improper way of trimming shrub
vegetation. As can be seen in view of the
initial planning, the fountain in the center
of the lake was end perspective, looking at
the lake. Figure 10. The French Monument Ensemble
 In the ensemble there are a number of coniferous trees, almost unique in the park,
such as Pinus strobus and Picea pungens `Argentaea'. The shrubs vegetation is composed of
Buxus sempervirens.
In recent years, at the monument various celebrations organized by the French
Embassy together with the Romanian State have been hosted.

CONCLUSIONS
The importance of landscape heritage conservation in Romania is highlighted
since the first half of the twentieth century, when landscape architect Friedrich Rebhuhn
stated that "landscape management means more than protecting nature" and that
"monuments of the past" are a "precious heritage that we have a duty to keep "(Rebhuhn F.,
1942). He also believes that "protection means preservation and management means
development and creation", which gives the landscape a "new value" (Rebhuhn F., 1942).
Achieving a stage of knowledge and awareness regarding landscape heritage
values, composed of ambiental elements, both mineral and vegetal, could be a first step in
order to recreate the authentic ambiance of historic parks and gardens.

REFERENCES
Harhoiu Dana, 2001, Bucharest. A City Between Orient and Occident, Simetria
Publishing and ARCUB, Bucharest, 69-74 pag.
Răducan Violeta, 2009, Restoration of historic parks and gardens (course notes),
USAMV Bucharest, Faculty of Horticulture, Landscape Architecture Department,
Bucharest
Rebhuhn F., 1942, Îngrijirea şi bogăţia peisajului românesc, Edit. Ziarului Universul,
Bucureşti, 3 pag.