The charming gardens situated between Rosales Street and a section of Calvario Street have recently undergone renovations by the City Council, presenting a fresh and appealing look for both residents and tourists. The area is divided into three sections: the lower level houses Mediterranean plants, the next area showcases native species, and the third section features a traditional garden with ancient dragon trees and fifty rose bushes.
A new addition to this garden is a symbolic plant sculpture depicting a dragon and four apples. This sculpture pays homage to the official coat of arms of the Villa de La Orotava, bestowed by King Alfonso XIII on February 15, 1905. The coat of arms features two winged dragons guarding four golden apples, representing the four towns that were part of the La Orotava Valley at that time, reminiscent of the Garden of the Hesperides. The municipal coat of arms, a significant symbol of the town, is centered around a majestic dragon tree, in memory of the legendary tree that once stood in Franchi Gardens before being destroyed by a storm. The dragon trees in this garden corner enhance the emblematic representation of the shield.
This unique garden area within La Orotava’s historic complex is associated with the old Augustinian convent of Nuestra Señora de Gracia. Some authors suggest that monks from this order once tended to the rose bushes in this space, which were used to honour the sculptural image of the convent built during the late 17th century.
