The Franciscan Garden – 14th century
The History
New Christian movements from Europe prior to the Reformation began to influence the Island. Among them were the Franciscans who, in 1373, built a friary at Arbory.
The Design
The theme of the Garden is St Francis’ Song of Creation. St Francis is the patron saint of ecology. The garden has a border of limestone foundations which mirror the size of the friary chapel in Arbory. The roadway, which enables access for further building works at the Cathedral, will have tyre tracks of granite setts. The double border reflects the five senses and parallels them with the verses of the Song of Creation.
Sight is represented by the sun with the planting scheme in yellow and the moon where the planting scheme is silver. You will see images carved in stone of the sun and the moon.
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam:
Sound is represented by the image carved in stone of the wind and the planting scheme is represented by grasses that rustle in the breeze.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong …
Touch is represented by water ripples carved in stone with a blue planting scheme and by fire carved in stone with a red planting scheme.
Thou flowing water, pure and clear …
Thou fire, so masterful and bright …
Taste is represented by edible fruits and herbs while the carving is a pair of wheatsheaves.
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow …
Smell is linked to death, with a carved Pinocchio-like stone nose and a large skull laid on the ground. The planting scheme is black and purple with scented plants. The pink rose is called Princess Anne, who is the Cathedral’s patron.
And thou, most kind and gentle death …
Accompanying these gardens are carvings reinforcing these senses. Poles indicate the Island’s geological strata and divide the gardens into different senses, while a dovecote symbolises peace. There is a backdrop of a double line of Bay trees.
Today
Respect for the natural world is vital for human survival. The Cathedral has been awarded a Silver Eco Church Award by ‘a Rocha’ and is committed to caring for God’s earth. We are also a partner of UNESCO Biosphere, Isle of Man.