Botanical Garden of Florence, Botanical garden and natural history museum in Florence, Italy
The Botanical Garden of Florence is a garden with outdoor beds, specialized greenhouses, and sections dedicated to medicinal plants, tropical species, and carnivorous plants. The grounds contain thousands of plant specimens organized by botanical family and origin.
The Medici family established this garden in 1545 as one of the world's oldest botanical gardens, initially focusing on medicinal herbs under Cosimo I. Over time, it evolved into a center for scientific research and university education in Florence.
The garden is named after its original purpose of growing medicinal herbs, a tradition still reflected in how plants are arranged by family and use. Today, visitors and researchers alike walk through sections organized by botanical classification, connecting them to centuries of plant knowledge.
The garden is laid out on flat ground with clear pathways between the different sections, making it easy to navigate. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and visitors should allow time to explore both the outdoor areas and the greenhouses at their own pace.
Several ancient trees grow in the garden, including a yew planted in 1720 and a cork oak from 1805, both of which are among the oldest living specimens on the grounds. Visitors can see how these trees have witnessed the place's transformation over centuries.
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