The History of Garden Gazebos

In short: Gazebos are among the oldest garden structures — the first appeared around 5,000 years ago in Egyptian gardens, and were later adopted by ancient Greece and Rome, Persia and Japan. The English word gazebo dates from around 1752. Gazebos reached Slovakia in the 19th century and remain popular to this day.

Gazebos are undoubtedly among the most widespread structures in our gardens. And, together with pergolas, they are becoming ever more popular. Was it the same in the past? Let’s walk through their history together, right from the beginning — from ancient Egypt to the present day.

Antiquity: Egypt, Greece and Rome

Gazebos were already fairly common 5,000 years ago. They appeared in Egyptian gardens, and the first people to own them were members of prominent families. They believed their gardens were earthly paradises that they would take with them into the afterlife. Whole gardens, gazebos included, were often painted on the walls of tombs. Paintings like these have been found in tombs dating from 1400 BC.

Later, gazebos became a feature of gardens in ancient Greece and Rome, where they served as a place for rest and entertainment. They were placed mainly in the parks and gardens of wealthy citizens and the aristocracy. In ancient Greece gazebos were called tholoi, meaning a circular space, and were usually surrounded by trees or columns. Well-to-do Romans and the inhabitants of Pompeii built gazebos resembling small temples, in which they depicted their gods.

Persia and Japan

Gazebos were not missing from Persian gardens either, where around the 10th century they looked like colourful tents with mats, or sometimes like two-storey structures with domes, marble columns and golden seats. They were often built beside pools or garden watercourses.

Gazebos in Japan have had a significance all of their own since time immemorial. They served as tea houses and hosted spiritual ceremonies. Later, during the Renaissance, gazebos served as sanctuaries and places for meditation, appearing above all in monastery gardens. Would you like a Japanese garden of your own? Take a look at our Hinode gazebo.

The Middle Ages in Europe

In the Middle Ages the popularity of gazebos did not wane. They were often built in the gardens of cathedrals and monasteries, where, in the Gothic style, they served as a place for prayer or for rest on warm summer days. This period also saw the appearance of decorative elements such as statues, reliefs and swirling patterns.

In Italy the so-called “belvederes” were popular — structures very similar to a gazebo, with a roof and one or more open sides. In the 14th century gazebos sprang up in great numbers in France, which in turn influenced England, where in the 15th century they began to appear like mushrooms after rain.

The Renaissance and modern era: flourishing across Europe

In the 16th and 17th centuries gazebos became part of garden design schemes right across Europe. In Italy, France and England they were popular among wealthy and powerful families, and often had elegant shapes decorated with paintings or sculptures. In Elizabethan English gardens they were used above all for entertainment. Towards the end of the 17th century, Chinese-style gazebos came very much to the fore.

In the 17th and 18th centuries gazebos flourished above all in England and France. English gardens often featured romantic gazebos where visitors could rest and admire the garden, while in French gardens they were usually placed at the centre.

Where did the word gazebo come from?

Some time after this period, probably in 1752, the English word gazebo came into being. It is made up of the word gaze with the Latin suffix ebo, and literally means “I shall gaze”. The term could hardly be more fitting for a gazebo — after all, it is a structure from which you can admire the whole garden!

The first gazebos in America

In America, gazebos did not become popular until the 18th century. They were built by members of the prosperous middle class. Later they fell out of favour, because houses with wide verandas were in vogue. At the start of the 20th century, though, they came back into fashion, and people valued them above all for their distance from the house — and therefore for the privacy they offered. It was in the 19th century, moreover, that new materials such as metal and glass began to appear in gazebo construction, making modern and innovative designs possible.

The arrival of the gazebo in Slovakia

Garden gazebos began to be used in Slovakia in the 19th century. At that time they were usually built from wood and had a simple design. In the 20th century they became popular in ordinary households too, and were built in a range of sizes and shapes.

What about today?

Gazebos are on the rise even now. People are drawn above all to their appearance, since they beautify the garden. They also value the wide range of uses and the privacy that a gazebo offers. Modern gazebos are built not only in family gardens but also in parks and public spaces. And, best of all, they can be made in all sorts of designs, exactly to the owner’s wishes. Do you dream of a gazebo too? We’ll turn your dream into reality!

Garden gazebos have a rich history that stretches all the way back to antiquity. From their very beginnings they were used as a place to rest and talk, and today they are a popular feature of garden design. With their range of designs, materials and accessories, garden gazebos can be tailored to your needs to create a pleasant, cosy place to relax and unwind in the garden.

Frequently asked questions

Which material is most often used to build garden gazebos?

Garden gazebos can be made from a range of materials, such as wood, metal or concrete. Wood, however, is the material most commonly used to build garden gazebos, because it gives a natural look and is easy to maintain.

What was the first garden gazebo?

The oldest known gazebos come from Egyptian gardens some 5,000 years ago — their likenesses survive on paintings in tombs dating from around 1400 BC. They served members of prominent families as a place for rest and social gatherings. This idea endured through the centuries and became the foundation for modern custom garden gazebos.

What are garden gazebos used for today?

Today, garden gazebos are used as a place to relax and sit out in the garden. They are often placed on terraces or at the edges of gardens. They can also be used as a place to barbecue or as a spot for social gatherings. With various accessories, such as lights or curtains, garden gazebos can be tailored to your needs to create a pleasant, cosy place to relax and unwind.