From Madrid to Melbourne: The colonial aesthetics of the Spanish greenhouse, a room that contains all four seasons of the Mediterranean

The Conservatory is an iconic carrier of European colonial horticultural aesthetics. With glass domes, cast iron columns and horseshoe arches as core elements, it integrates the light and shadow philosophy of the Mediterranean courtyard into the display of plants in temperate climates. This type of greenhouse emerged in the late 19th century, inspired by Spanish Moorish architecture and Renaissance gardens. For example, the Central Conservatory in Madrid uses stained glass windows to divide the tropical rainforest and arid plant areas, forming an ecological theater with "one room across climates". In Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens, the Spanish Conservatory built in 1928 highlights pragmatism: - Four-season flower exhibitions: violets are carpeted in spring, crabapples fall like waterfalls in autumn, and camellias are blazing like flames in winter; - Architectural heritage: the curved colored windows filter sunlight into a spectrum, projecting it onto black and white chessboard tiles to form a dynamic art painting; - Night tour revolution: some modern greenhouses (such as Jewel Changi Airport) have added LED interactive devices to make the cactus forest glow like stars in the night. 💡 Travel tips: Melbourne greenhouses close 5 times a year to change flowers (such as late January and early April), so it is recommended to check the official website before traveling; Madrid Royal Palace greenhouses require reservations for guided tours, and wearing light-colored clothing will make it easier to capture the depth of the dome. #summervacay#travel #myitinerary #familytravel #thingstodo