The Cap Roig Gardens are, due to their uniqueness, a one-of-a-kind space in the Mediterranean. Today, we want to tell you both their history and that of their castle, and talk about the creators of this masterpiece, a couple who fell hopelessly in love with the coast.
A bit of history
These beautiful gems, located between the municipalities of Palafrugell and Mont-ras (in the Baix Empordà region), date back to the late 20th century.
In 1927, Russian Colonel Nicolai Woevodsky and his wife Dorothy Webster, an English aristocrat with a passion for interior design, arrived at a coastal area in Girona that was beginning to be known as the Costa Brava.
Seeking a place to settle down and leave behind their courtly life in London, they set their sights on an estate perched on a cliff in Cap Roig. Here, they would build a home that would tie them to this location for the rest of their lives.
They built a castle, complete with its own pier and a small boathouse at Cala Massoni, where Dorothy used to swim in summer. Since then, this small cove has been known as “La Banyera de la Russa” (The Russian Woman’s Bathtub). The neo-medieval-style building was designed by Nicolai himself, who had some knowledge of architecture. Construction began in 1931 and was completed in 1975.
The vast land surrounding the castle was perfect for creating an idyllic garden. With this in mind, Dorothy and a team of gardeners worked to level the slopes and prepare the soil. A total of seven hectares were cultivated with the aim of planting different species. By 1935, more than five hundred plants had already been planted, including Mediterranean, tropical, and subtropical flora.
Buried in a rocky spot shaded by the pine trees of Cap Roig, this couple now rests in peace, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. Alongside them also lie Nero and Bonzo, their dog and cat.
The gardens today
After the couple passed away, the estate came under the ownership of Fundació Caixa Girona, and later, it was managed by Obra Social “la Caixa”, which currently works to preserve it.
In 2017, a sculpture park was inaugurated in the Cap Roig Gardens. From that moment on, the lush vegetation began to coexist with modern art pieces, reminiscent of classical Roman and Greek gardens.
Today, it is one of the most important botanical gardens in the country, covering 20 hectares and home to 800 different plant species, which visitors can admire through guided tours.
Throughout the year, different gardening workshops are held here, such as “Winter Gardening Techniques” or “Aromatic Plant Cuttings”.
Additionally, in July and August, the gardens host the Cap Roig Festival, one of the most prestigious music and dance festivals on the Costa Brava. If you’ve never attended, we highly recommend you don’t miss it next summer. Watching performances by world-class artists in this stunning setting is truly worth it.
If you don’t have any plans for this weekend yet, we recommend visiting these gardens, a landmark of our coast. You’ll love them!
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