Gazebos Galore

What Exactly is a Gazebo?: A Brief History

April 5th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

A gazebo is generally defined as a detached structure with a cupola (dome-shaped) roof and open sides. By tradition they are built atop a height or site that provides an eye-catching view. A gazebo can provide shade, no-frills shelter, landscape ornamentation or just be a place to take a break and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

The word “gazebo” first appeared in England around the year 1752. Although widely theorized to be a combination of the English word ‘gaze’ with the Latin suffix ebo which means “I shall,” and is therefore interpreted as “I shall gaze;” no one truly knows the word’s origins. While the root of the word gazebo may be a mystery, it is known that gazebos have been staple fixtures in gardens for centuries. Read the rest of this entry »