Medieval quest seeks donations for latest time travel experience
Hamilton Gardens enthusiasts now have the opportunity to support the completion of its Medieval Garden, the next new time-travel experience at the city’s premier visitor attraction.
A fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 needed to complete the new themed space has been launched by Momentum Waikato, the region’s community foundation.
The design of the Medieval Garden will be based on the ruins of the St John of the Hermits Monastery in Sicily, made up of a ‘Cloister Garth’ for prayer and meditation and an ‘Apothecary Garden’ for growing medicinal herbs and healing plants.
Peter Sergel, the founding director and visionary designer of Hamilton Gardens, says each of its existing and planned gardens represents a major transformation point in history, with the Medieval Garden representing the spread of Christianity.
“Three particular aspects will be reflected in the Medieval Garden, one is the piety, study and prayer, second was protection and looking after strangers, and the third was superstition, particularly around geometry and maths and numbers.”
“The Medieval world has inspired all sorts of fiction, including science fiction films, because it was a strange brutal world with all sorts of magic and mystery,” says Sergel.
The monastery spaces of the Medieval Garden will ultimately be one of four gardens on site reflecting the philosophies of the world’s major religions, the others being Islam via the Indian Char Bagh Garden, Buddhism via the Japanese Garden, and Hinduism via the planned Vedic Garden.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
10.6% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
22.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
67.3% Nah - not for me
Adults Arts Therapy
Discover the benefits of art making at Arts for Health. Our Wednesday art therapy class offers a creative, relaxing escape. Guided by Scarlett, you'll engage in artful activities designed to help you unwind and reconnect with yourself as you paint, draw, design and experiment with a wide range of art materials. This art therapy class is ideal for adults, no experience is needed - just bring yourself, and we’ll provide all materials and equipment. With a limit of only 8 participants, you'll enjoy a personalised experience and meet some amazing people along the way.
Book now at www.artsforhealth.co.nz...
Treasured Book Workshop Series
Create your own treasure book in this eight-week Hamilton workshop. Choose your cover, pick your papers, and learn simple book-binding techniques to craft a one-of-a-kind keepsake filled with pockets, textures, and space for your stories.
This workshop is all about slowing down, exploring new skills, and enjoying time just for you.
A relaxed, creative space to make something meaningful and uniquely yours.
Book now at www.artsforhealth.co.nz...
Loading…
