The Botanical Garden of Rome is located between the Janiculum Hill and the Tiber River, stretching on a surface of about 12 hectares. It is managed by the La Sapienza University of Rome, and while it was laid out in 1883, it is situated on the site of the former gardens of Palazzo Corsini, grandiose papal gardens founded in the fertile centuries of the Renaissance.

The rich naturalistic patrimony consists of about 3,000 species cultivated and preserved in the spectacular sections of the garden: the so-called Giardino dei Semplici, which gathers specimens of more than 300 species of medicinal plants, the green houses, where visitors can admire plenty of exotic plants, ranging from carnivorous species to orchids and bonsai, a Japanese garden, as well as bamboo groves. It is precisely in this varied range of species, as well as in the techniques used in cultivating and preserving them, that the scientific value of the garden lies.

Yet, visitors can come and stroll around in the garden without harboring any special scientific interest. The garden is ideal for relaxed walks and pleasant moments filled with color and bewildering scents. The greenery aside, the landscape is here and there pegged out by small lakes, fountains and stairs which create a set generating an atmosphere where the freshness of the vegetal life elegantly blends in with vestige-like elements.

As a rule, the garden is closed to the public at large during the month of August.

Name:
Botanical Garden of Rome (Orto Botanico dell’Universita di Roma “La Sapienza”)
Address:
24, Largo Cristina di Svezia, Rome, Italy
Telephone:
0039 06 49912436
Fax:
0039 06 4991436
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
sweb01.dbv.uniroma1.it
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 6:30pm (March 30 to October 18); 9:30am to 5:30pm (October 19 to March 29)