The Padua Botanical Garden, also known as the University of Padua Botanical Garden, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world still in operation. Founded in 1545, it is located in the heart of Padua, Italy.
The Botanical Garden was created for teaching and research purposes, and is managed by the University of Padua. Its founder, the Italian physician and botanist Andrea Cesalpino, had the goal of creating a garden dedicated to the cultivation and study of medicinal plants.
The garden covers an area of approximately 22 hectares and is divided into several thematic sections. Inside there are thousands of plant species from all over the world, including tropical plants, ancient trees, aquatic plants, medicinal plants and many other types of flora.
An “iconic” botanical garden
One of the most iconic features of the Botanical Garden is its “Giardino dei Semplici”, a section dedicated to medicinal plants. This sector, which dates back to the 16th century, is organized according to a plant classification system introduced by Cesalpino himself. Here it is possible to admire a vast variety of medicinal herbs and plants used in medicine.
The Botanical Garden of Padua has played a crucial role in the history of botany. Over the centuries, numerous world-famous scholars, botanists and naturalists have visited the garden to study and gather information on the plant world. The garden was also a plant exchange center between Europe and the rest of the world, contributing to the diffusion of new botanical species.
In addition to its academic and scientific functions, the Botanical Garden is open to the public and offers a fascinating experience for nature and garden lovers. You can stroll along the shady paths, admire the different plants and enjoy the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of the garden.
If you visit Padua, this place is definitely a place not to be missed. It is a place of great historical and scientific value, and represents a wonderful oasis of nature in the heart of the city.
Photo of the Botanical Garden of Padua taken from the video.
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