A garden full of stories

In the Andalusian town of Torrox, there once was a garden that stood out for its elegance and variety: Jardines de Picasso, also known as Jardines de Polín. Commissioned by José Sevilla Gaona and designed by a local gardener from Málaga, this garden was a quiet green world filled with rare plants, shaded paths, and architectural charm. It may no longer exist in its original form, but the story still lingers.

A French-style start

The garden was originally styled like a French park. Trimmed hedges framed vibrant flower beds. Peacocks used to wander freely, adding a splash of colour and elegance to the walkways. From the dining room, you could step straight into the garden. There, you’d find two gazebos: one covered in honeysuckle, the other larger and decorated with big ceramic pots and a white air plant that drew all the attention.

Paths and levels

Jardines de Picasso was split into two zones on different levels. The two parts were connected by the Camino de Júpiter, a path that ran directly from the main house. Near the house was a bamboo bed, a pond, and umbrella-like plants. A small staircase led to a fruit orchard where an araucaria tree stood proudly among cherimoya and other fruit trees.

Below the larger gazebo, you’d find a wine press and a cellar with huge clay jars. On the right, near a patch of black bamboo, a separate entrance opened up to a vegetable garden. This once-thriving piece of land stretched all the way to what is now Calle Calzada. The front of the house was guarded by two towering date palms, heavy with fruit.

Flowers, fountains, and shade

At the centre of the garden, a flower path ran through beds of roses, begonias, and wax plants. A greenhouse stood close to a massive magnolia tree. A main path led to a six-sided fountain surrounded by curved stone benches and columns topped with decorative vases.

In the back, a round gazebo stood at the top of a small staircase, shaded by jasmine. Around it grew trees like calambucos, walnut and pear trees, dwarf apples, quince, and citrus trees. Coffee, saffron, tobacco, and even bananas found a home here, scattered between the larger trees.

Faded beauty

The gardens were kept in good condition until the 1960s. After that, parts of the area near the house were renovated, but much of the plant life began to disappear. Ownership changed hands, from the provincial government to the town council, and slowly, the garden’s colourful identity faded.

Today, Jardines de Picasso is no longer the thriving green space it once was. But its memory remains—a quiet reminder of Torrox’s botanical past.

source: www.turismotorrox.es