Franciscan Monastery Gardens

Washington, D.C., United States

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The Franciscan Monastery Gardens in Washington, D.C., were established starting in 1897 by Reverend Godfrey Schilling and six Franciscan Friars, known as the "Pioneer Brothers," who transformed a neglected estate into vibrant gardens surrounding the Byzantine-style Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The gardens blend formal elements like boxwood hedges and large rose beds with informal woodland plantings that include azaleas, ferns, and hellebores. They feature replicas of shrines from the Holy Land, chapels, grottoes, and stations of the cross, creating a tranquil and spiritual environment for visitors of all faiths.

Over the years, the gardens have been maintained by volunteer groups like the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild, founded in 1998, which also supports food bank donations by growing produce. The gardens are nationally recognized for their beauty and serenity, offering a unique combination of horticulture, history, and religious reflection, and remain open to the public free of charge.