Oldest public park in Europe?
Some say so, established between 1774 and 1776.
The park is simple, with wide open spaces, trees without the underbrush, pathways, benches, and some statues.
It’s quiet here on a chilly Sunday morning, away from the noise of the traffic, with early-morning joggers, walkers, a young man pushing a stroller with a dog on a leash.
Under a tree, two people practice martial arts, bōjutsu maybe, since they are practicing with staffs.
Some men play cricket in an open field, setting their wickets up on a sidewalk.
A class of students takes direction in tai chi.
Autumn leaves rustle along the path in the breeze.
Frequent thuds as chestnuts fall from trees.
And a fifteenth-century Gothic Tower that once was part of a Franciscan church.
A peaceful feeling walking through the park, like all is well in the world.
