Orto Botanico di Padova

In the northeastern region of Italy, Padua is home to the Orto Botanico di Padova, a botanical garden. It is the oldest academic botanical garden in the world that is intact in its original position. It was established in 1545 by the Venetian Republic. The garden, which is connected to the University of Padua, has a current area of around 22,000 square meters and is renowned for its historical architecture and exceptional collections.

The garden was enclosed by a circular wall to prevent nighttime thefts, which continued despite harsh penalties (fines, prison, exile). Plants from all over the world, particularly from those nations that engaged in trade with Venice, were gradually added to the Botanical Garden. As a result, Padua played a key role in the importation and study of several exotic plants, and its Botanical Garden progressively gained a herbarium, a library, and numerous labs.

The Botanical Garden currently permits significant research as well as extensive didactic activity to be carried out on its grounds. It also looks after the protection of numerous endangered species. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Location: Via Orto Botanico, 15, 35123 Padova PD, Italy