MONTSALVAT, ELTHAM

Montsalvat is an artist's colony in Eltham established in 1934, and home to over a dozen buildings set amongst richly established gardens. The site has a detailed history that reflects the life of founder Justus Jörgensen and his friends and family, while its buildings and gardens are stepped in the art and culture of Melbourne and its surroundings.

Architecturally Montsalvat has much in common with a simple French village in Provence, with a mix of rustic architectural styles.  Justus Jörgensen was an architect and as a former student of Max Meldrum had spent many happy hours painting around Eltham. In 1934 Jörgensen purchased land and with his friends and students commenced the buildings that became Montsalvat, 26kms from Melbourne.  A lot of materials came from the many beautiful buildings of Melbourne that were being demolished to make way for modernisation. The addition of mud bricks, rammed earth, the local mud stone , bush timbers, and a great deal of hard labour, Justus Jörgensen's vision took form.

Here is the swimming pool with the Great Hall behind it in the background. You can view more of my photos of Montsalvat here.

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme.