Gazebos have been around for centuries, with a long and varied history all over the world. They were originally built for a variety of purposes, including as places of refuge from the sun or rain, as storage areas, or as vantage points from which to view the surrounding area. Today, gazebos are mostly used as garden ornaments, but they can still serve all of the same purposes as they did in the past.
Gazebos have been present throughout history, popping up at different points in time. But, it is most commonly thought that during the 14th century.
Who Invented Gazebos?
The history of gazebos is a long and varied one, with many different cultures all over the world claiming to have invented them. The truth is that it is impossible to say for sure who invented gazebos, as they have been around for so long and have been built by so many different cultures.
One of the earliest known examples of a gazebo is the Pavilion of the Great Buddha in India, which was built in the 6th century CE. This pavilion was likely used as a place of refuge from the sun or rain, as well as a vantage point from which to view the surrounding area.
The first recorded use of the word “gazebo” in English was in 1650, when it was used to refer to a thatched roof structure in a garden. The word is thought to come from the Latin “gasparium”, which means “treasure house.”
Why Are Gazebos Called “Gazebos”?
During the 14th century, gazebos were built and became popular. However, they were not called gazebos at that time. Many scholars believe that the term first appeared in 1752 in a book named “New Designs for Chinese Temples” by William Halfpenny. Since then, these structures have been referred to as gazebos instead of anything else.
The word “gazebo” is thought to come from the Latin “gasparium”, which means “treasure house.” This is likely due to the fact that gazebos were often used as storage areas for valuable items such as weapons or jewelry.
Today, gazebos are mostly used as garden ornaments, but they can still serve all of the same purposes as they did in the past. They are a great way to add some shade to your garden on hot summer days and can also provide a wonderful vantage point.
Middle Age Gazebos
France and England were the first countries to use Gazebos as a way of improving outdoor living spaces. In 14th century France, artists built gazelles at The Louvre so they could enjoy better views from their workspaces; later on, in the 15th Century English royalty started building summer houses that looked just like main homes – but only smaller! These “garden follies” or Elizabethan roses became popular because visitors wanted places where you could stroll while enjoying nature without having any windows visible within eyesight (so no surprise inspections).
Before long, the craze had spread to other parts of Europe, and by the late 1700s, many areas featured these buildings in their gardens.
Medieval and Renaissance Period Gazebos
During the renaissance period, Italians started building gazebos following the traditional structure. The word “gazebo” actually means “a beautiful view” in Italian, so it’s no surprise that these structures were mainly built in elaborate gardens and large estates to improve their beauty.
In addition, medieval gazebos were used for privacy in the yards. These summerhouses were often utilized by those with high power to entertain guests outdoors while still providing them with a roof and fresh air.
Gazebos In Greece and Rome
The gazebo’s long history is wrapped up in the culture of many different countries, from England to France. In ancient Greece, they were used as temples and sanctuaries for public places that wanted all types of attention drawn toward them.
Egyptians Gazebos
As per the research, Egyptian people were some of the first to build gazebos in their yards. The design is founded on an Egyptian garden plan dating back about 1400 BC, but these structures had a completely different purpose than what you would find elsewhere around the world – they served as summerhouses for royalty and high officials who wanted to show respect while also marking themselves apart from everyone else by having something that only others could enjoy too!
Gazebos In Asia
For centuries, China and Japan have had a history of gazebos. Used for everything from tea houses to pagodas and sanctuaries, these garden structures served many purposes in these two cultures. While other societies saw gazebos as an attraction, the Chinese and Japanese often used them as a place to relax and meditate.