IX European Forum on Historic Gardens
The 9th European Forum on Historic Gardens will take place at the National Garden of Athens from 7 to 9 October 2026. Held under the theme ‘Historic Gardens Grow Europe’, this year’s event will bring together specialists involved in the protection, management and promotion of historic green spaces. The European Route of Historic Gardens is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
The 9th European Forum on Historic Gardens will be hosted by Green Athens and the City of Athens. The proceedings will take place in the exceptional setting of the National Garden of Athens. The Forum will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, as well as for discussing the most important challenges relating to the protection, conservation, management and public accessibility of historic gardens.
The event is one of Europe’s most important annual gatherings devoted to garden heritage. Each year, it brings together experts, researchers and practitioners involved in the care of historic gardens and designed landscapes. Previous editions have been held at outstanding European heritage sites, including the Santa Clotilde Gardens in Lloret de Mar, Spain (2017); Parques de Sintra, Portugal (2019); the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen in Hanover, Germany (2021); the Petőfi Literary Museum in Budapest, Hungary (2022); the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy (2023); Zugdidi Botanical Garden in Georgia (2024); and the Van Buuren Museum and Gardens in Brussels, Belgium (2025).
This year’s Forum theme, ‘Historic Gardens Grow Europe’, marks the 10th anniversary of the European Route of Historic Gardens in 2026. It highlights the importance of gardens as living spaces for inspiration, education and international cooperation. As a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, the ERHG contributes to strengthening Europe’s shared identity and collective memory.
Historic gardens also play an increasingly important role in the development of European cultural tourism. They offer visitors not only an encounter with natural beauty and the heritage of past eras, but also valuable intellectual, educational and emotional experiences. The 9th European Forum on Historic Gardens will provide an opportunity to review the ERHG’s achievements to date, while also opening a discussion on the future of historic gardens and their significance for Europe.