Orto Botanico

Gardens in Padova

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Diego.Buggin

Padua’s Botanical Garden holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest University Botanical Garden that remains in its original location. Established in 1545 under the patronage of the Venetian Republic, its primary purpose was to assist students at Padua University in their studies of pharmacology and medicinal plants.

Today, this garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to a remarkable collection of over 7,000 botanical species. Among its remarkable inhabitants is a palm tree that has graced the garden for more than four centuries. It’s worth noting that Goethe’s “Essay on the Metamorphosis of Plants” was inspired during his visit to Padua University Botanical Garden. Here, he encountered the age-old palm tree, dedicating time to its observation and study.

The botanical garden is divided into two distinct sections:

Historical Garden: This segment represents the original garden as it was conceived in 1545. Its layout takes the form of a circular shape, symbolizing the world, enclosing a square that is further divided into four smaller squares. The garden features strategically placed fountains and water features, making it a delightful spot to explore, even on warm summer days. Encircling the Historical Garden is a towering circular wall, erected centuries ago to deter theft of valuable medicinal plants.

Biodiversity Garden: Inaugurated in September 2014, this modern addition to Padua University Botanical Garden is housed within a contemporary glass structure. A visit to this garden provides a journey through various global climate zones, from the most arid to the lushest, allowing visitors to admire plant life indigenous to each region.

Padua University Botanical Garden has played a pivotal role in the advancement of botany and pharmacology. It was instrumental in introducing several economically significant plants, such as sunflowers and potatoes, to Italy. Prospero Alpini, the garden’s director in the early 17th century, was the first European to provide a comprehensive description of the coffee plant and its medicinal properties. This garden stands as a testament to the invaluable contributions of botany and botanical research to science and society.

The Orto Botanico appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Padova!

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