Orto botanico di Palermo

What is Orto botanico di Palermo?

The Orto botanico di Palermo is a large botanical garden covering about 30 acres within the city. Visitors find a mix of historic neoclassical buildings, formal and informal garden sections, pools for aquatic plants, and a wide variety of plant collections. Highlights include the Gymnasium, the Winter Garden greenhouse, the Aquarium pool, and themed areas for succulents, palms, cycads, and Mediterranean species. The garden is home to over 12,000 plant species, including rare and exotic trees, water lilies, and palms.

The history of Orto botanico di Palermo

The garden began in 1779 as a small plot for teaching and growing medicinal plants, linked to the University of Palermo. It moved to its current site in 1786, expanding over time with support from local nobility. The main neoclassical buildings were constructed in 1789, and the garden officially opened in 1795. Over the 19th and early 20th centuries, the garden grew in size and importance, introducing many tropical and subtropical species to the Mediterranean. It has played a key role in plant research and exchange with other European gardens.

What there is to see

The garden is organized into several themed sections. The oldest is the Linneian section, laid out in four quadrants for plant classification. There are water features like the Aquarium, a large circular pool for aquatic plants, and the lagoon. Greenhouses house succulents, tropical crops, and ferns. Themed areas include the Garden of Succulents, Palmetum for palms, Cycadetum for cycads, and a Mediterranean hillside. The herbarium and gene bank support research and conservation.

When to go

The Orto botanico di Palermo is open to visitors for education, research, and enjoyment of its plant collections. It is used by the University of Palermo for teaching and scientific study. The garden's collections support conservation of rare and endangered Mediterranean plants, and its gene bank preserves seeds for future generations. Throughout the year, visitors can explore the grounds, greenhouses, and special collections.

Parts and collections

The garden features notable plant collections, such as the Aquarium with water lilies and lotuses, the Garden of Succulents with aloes and cacti, and the Palmetum with over 80 palm species. The Cycadetum holds historic cycads, including the first Cycas revoluta in Europe. The herbarium contains both Sicilian and international specimens, and the gene bank focuses on regional and rare plants.

Why Orto botanico di Palermo matters

The Orto botanico di Palermo is a symbol of scientific learning and botanical heritage in Sicily. Its historic trees, like the Ficus macrophylla and Ginkgo biloba, are local landmarks. The garden played a role in introducing important crops to the Mediterranean, such as the mandarin and loquat. It is recognized for its contribution to plant conservation and as a centre for botanical research and education.

The flowers of Orto botanico di Palermo

WaterlilyFloating aquatic flowers found in ponds and lakes worldwideWhite Water-lilyA floating white flower of ponds and lakes across Europe and AsiaEgyptian white water-lilyA night-blooming white water-lily and the national flower of EgyptCape aloeA tall, spiny aloe from southern Africa with orange-red flowers and medicinal usesAmazon waterlilyA night-blooming waterlily from Mexico to tropical South AmericaPygmy waterlilyA small white waterlily found in calm waters across the northern hemisphereZimbabwe AloeA tall, single-stemmed aloe from southern Africa with a crown of curved leavesSpiral aloeA rare mountain succulent with leaves arranged in a perfect spiral

Questions people ask about Orto botanico di Palermo

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Orto botanico di Palermo on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data