Orto Botanico, Botanical garden in Portici, Italy
The Orto Botanico is a botanical garden on the grounds of the Royal Palace of Portici, housing thousands of plant species from around the world. The collection includes specialized sections for Mediterranean flora, desert plants, and rare species found in southern Italian regions.
The garden was founded in 1872 after the former royal palace was converted into the Royal Higher School of Agriculture. A local professor created it as an educational center for studying plants and farming practices.
The garden takes its name from the traditional Italian vegetable garden style and displays plants from Mediterranean and tropical regions. Visitors can observe how different sections are organized by the natural climates where these species originated.
The best time to visit is in the morning when the air is fresh and the plants look their most vibrant. Allow several hours to walk through the different sections and explore the plant collections at a relaxed pace.
A large greenhouse houses an impressive collection of succulents and cacti from Africa and America. This specialized section showcases the variety of plants that thrive in extremely dry climates.
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