Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna

What is Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna?

The Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna covers about 2 hectares in the city center. Its grounds include a front garden with notable trees and a fountain, a rear garden with reconstructed local woodland, thematic collections, and several greenhouses. Visitors find a pond, wetlands, a traditional herb garden, and specialized greenhouses for tropical, succulent, and carnivorous plants. The garden displays about 5,000 specimens from 1,200 plant types.

The history of Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna

The garden traces its roots to a medicinal herb plot in Bologna in 1365. The current institution began in 1568, influenced by botanist Luca Ghini and established by Ulisse Aldrovandi. It moved several times: from the Palazzo Pubblico, to Borghetto S. Giuliano in 1587, then to Porta S. Stefano in 1740, and finally to its present site in 1803. The garden has survived periods of neglect and war damage, especially in the early 1900s and during World War II, but has been restored since.

What there is to see

The garden is organized into several main areas. The front garden features mature trees and a fountain. The rear garden includes a recreated local hardwood forest, greenhouses, and thematic plant collections. There are dedicated greenhouses for tropical species, succulents, and carnivorous plants. The Orto dei Semplici is a traditional herb garden, arranged by the uses of the plants.

When to go

Open to the public most days, the garden serves as a place for education, research, and leisure. People visit to see a wide variety of plant species, learn about botany, and enjoy the peaceful setting. The garden is also used by the university for teaching and scientific study. Its collections and displays change with the seasons.

Parts and collections

The garden houses a range of specialized collections. The tropical greenhouses contain bromeliads, orchids, palms, and spice plants. The succulent greenhouse holds around 5,000 specimens from regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and the Canary Islands. There are also collections of alpine plants, carnivorous plants, and a section dedicated to medicinal herbs.

Why Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna matters

As one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna reflects centuries of botanical study and local history. It has played a role in the development of plant science and education in Italy. The garden's changing locations and restoration efforts show its resilience and ongoing importance to the city and university.

The flowers of Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna

ElderA group of shrubs and small trees with clusters of white flowers and dark berriesElderA tall shrub or small tree with clusters of white flowers and dark berriesHollyEvergreen trees and shrubs with red berries, known for winter and Christmas usePersian silk treeA small tree with pink, silky starburst flowers and fern-like leaves

Questions people ask about Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data