The Dell
This intimate, tropical garden was designed by Guiseppe Codali, the head gardener and horticulturist of the Alameda during the middle years of the 19th Century, a Genoese who was brought to Gibraltar specifically to work in the gardens. His Italian influence can be seen in the terracing and general layout of this area. The Dell, a small deep natural hollow, in the heart of the Alameda has a bridge across the centre covered by an amazing purple bougainvillea. This is called “el puente del suspiro” or the bridge of sighs, as nobody can cross this bridge without stopping to look down onto the sunken garden and with a sigh utter words of wonder.
Although the gardens were opened in 1816, The Dell was not completed until eight years later. It was inaugurated on the 24th September 1842, and re-inaugurated 150 years later to the day. Through a donation from Lionel J Codali grandson of Guiseppe Codali the two fountains were refurbished. One made out of wrought iron and the other of terracotta. A further donation from National Westminster Bank, also in 1992, resulted in a new Castle and Key motif – the coat of arms of Gibraltar – appearing in The Dell. A great deal of work was carried out by key garden staff to bring it back to standard after years of neglect, adding water features of the staff's own design. The area is now closed to the public and for nearly two decades until 2010 was looked after by one dedicated gardener, Jimmy Catania,to which the area was dedicated on his 80th birthday. All monies collected from the hire of The Dell go into maintaining the Italian Garden, as is the case with all other contributions and donations from different areas.
Other ideas for using The Dell
We can hold various functions, such as wedding anniversary parties, poetry readings, small group lunches, dinners, cocktail parties and exhibitions e.g. glass, sculptors. Wedding photographs may also be taken at a nominal fee. The Dell accommodates comfortably a small number of people and we welcome all ideas for making use of this unique exotic venue.
Open Air Theatre
Royal Air Force Band, September 2008
The Open Air Theatre is available for hire. The Theatre has a large stage, grassed terraces, where a maximum of 450 chairs can be placed, and a large pond between the seating area and the stage over which a catwalk or bridge can be extended.
The Theatre is suitable for theatrical performances, concerts, receptions and other outdoor events. Hire charges are customised to the user's requirements. Lighting and basic sound equipment can be provided.
The main aim of the Theatre is to promote the Performing Arts in Gibraltar, and priority will therefore be given to such events over private receptions and parties.
Photo: L. Hayes
For more information please contact the Gardens’ Information Office on 00350 20041235 or events@gibraltargardens.gi.
Lions' Pond
In 1984, Lions' Club member, John Zayas, commenced this project as part of the club’s commitment to improve the environment and to serve as a recreational area for the public. It was inaugurated on the 31st May, 1986. This very shady, tranquil area has a pond on one side and narrow paths, lined with shade loving plants, meandering through the back. The new paving at the front was laid by 234 Squadron Royal Engineers (V) in June 1997.
Another beautiful spot for after wedding drinks or a small gathering with friends.
A wedding reception at the Lions' Pond
Molly Bloom Circle
This area was inaugurated to commemorate the bicentennary of the Gibraltar Chronicle, which also included the peformance of the play “Molly Bloom’s Last Word” in our Open Air Theatre on 10th May, 2001. Molly Bloom is the adulterous wife of Leopold Bloom, hero of James Joyce’s Ullyses. Gibraltar was of enormous importance to Molly. She first made love to a young man in the shadow of the fig trees. The Alameda Gardens was where Molly spent a childhood and adolecence of carefree happiness under the Mediterranean sun.
The Molly Bloom Circle, in the shade of an Olive
In the final moments of the novel, Ulysses, Molly returns to the place of her treasured youth to recall again “the glorious sunsets and the fig trees in the Alameda Gardens”. The bronze statue of Molly Bloom depicting her anxiety to get home through an advancing curfew to a scolding for being late was unveiled on Friday 11th May, 2001. The sculptor is former Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle, Jon Searle, and it is intended as a permanent memento of the newspaper’s bicentenary.
This area is surrounded by a variety of pelargoniums on the one side and other South African plants on the other, planted and maintained by horticulturist, Andrew Abrines. Shade is provided by one of our indigenous trees, an olive Olea europea.
This is a very pleasant area for after wedding champagne and canapés or a small gathering of friends or colleagues for afternoon tea in the beautiful light shed by the setting sun. The joyce is yours (oops! sorry!) the choice is yours!
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