Gömt eller glömt? En kulturhistorisk studie om Överås engelska park och trädgård

Abstract

Överås Castle and its surrounding park in Örgryte, Gothenburg, represent an example of a nineteenth-century private garden associated with the city’s merchant elite. During the mid nineteenth century the estate was transformed into a representative villa environment influenced by the English landscape garden style. Extensive greenhouses and orangeries also enabled the cultivation of exotic plants and fruits. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the historical garden and horticultural landscape of Överås and to identify the cultural-historical values that remain today. The study is based on literature and archival research, historical map analysis and field observations. The results show that although much of the original garden complex has disappeared, important elements such as pathways, stair systems, ponds and mature trees remain and still convey aspects of the historical landscape.