The History of the Gazebo

Gazebos have been fixtures in gardens for centuries. Their popularity and presence have become more widespread with every generation, and they have emerged as the most prevalent outdoor garden structures in the world. Originally called summerhouses, screen houses, kiosks, grottos, or pagodas, the existence of gazebos has been traced to the earliest gardens. Gazebos actually started out as towers or lanterns on the roofs of houses, and were built specifically to provide advantageous views of the surrounding areas. It wasn’t until years later that the structures were built on the ground as summerhouses.

Gazebos were common in Egyptian gardens 5,000 years ago. As you might imagine, members of royalty were the first to have them. In fact, many thought of their gardens as earthly paradises, and believed they could take them to the afterlife. The structures were also popular in ancient Rome and Pompeii. As the population of Rome increased, the affluent and aristocratic began building summerhouses along the Mediterranean, complete with gazebos. Also flourishing in the East, gazebos in tenth-century Persian gardens were anything from colorful tents with mats on the floors, to ornate, two-story structures with cupolas, marble columns, and golden seats.

China’s gazebos were also quite elaborate, while those in Japan, often called teahouses, were used in conjunction with the revered Tea Ceremonies, and were the places to rest, get in touch with one’s spiritual side, and absorb the beauty of the garden. During the Renaissance, gazebos became popular in the gardens of monasteries, as shrines and places of meditation.

Today, gazebos are made of many different types of materials, such as wood, stone, canvas and fabric. They can be permanent structures or summertime shelters. They carve out a space in a yard or garden for quiet retreat and relaxation.

Ultimately I'd love to have an octagonal wood gazebo in my backyard, creating a vantage point for me to view my yard and garden. For now, I've purchased a canvas awning that gives me some shade on hot summer afternoons. I can lie in my lounge chair and read a summer novel, and sip iced tea. It's become a place I can contemplate my flowers and garden and yard, and mentally make my future plans for next year's crops and plantings.