The medieval garden: plants within reach

In the Middle Ages, gardens were usually laid out in or near Rhenish castles, providing a small reserve of plants.

Plants played an important role in everyday life. To illustrate this, a collection of almost 200 species is on display in the Haut-Koenigsbourg garden. You'll find everything you need to care for and protect yourself, feed yourself, make your own clothes and « to flirt».

Medicinal plants were essential, making up the first-aid kit of the time: sage and mint against fevers, white broth against coughs... not forgetting a few magic herbs.

In the kitchen garden, cabbages, peas, onions, turnips and other root vegetables were the stars of the day. No potatoes, tomatoes or other vegetables from America!

And of course, no medieval garden is complete without the inevitable charm of roses, peonies and lilies, near the arbours and benches where you can relax.