Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Cliffside botanical garden in Monaco.
Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a botanical garden perched on Mediterranean cliffs, arranged in steep terraces that follow the natural slope. It houses one of the world's largest collections of desert succulents and cacti, with plants organized by geographical origin across the hillside.
Prince Albert I commissioned the garden's construction in 1912, with engineer Louis Notari overseeing the project on the steep cliffsides. The excavation work unexpectedly revealed a network of caves beneath the site, which contained signs of ancient human settlement in the region.
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology within the garden complex presents archaeological findings and human artifacts dating back to ancient settlements.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the pathways are steep and involve many stairs climbing up and down the hillside. The admission includes access to both the garden and the cave network below, so plan enough time to explore both areas without rushing.
The caves beneath the garden floor reveal evidence of early human habitation and house an on-site museum displaying archaeological artifacts and prehistoric tools. This underground discovery transforms the visit into an encounter with ancient history that predates the garden itself by thousands of years.
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