Kruidtuin, Botanical garden in Mechelen, Belgium

Kruidtuin is a public park at the end of the Bruul in Mechelen, covering 30,640 square metres. Its geometric beds are bordered by low clipped hedges along straight gravel paths, with a fountain jet and rows of taller hedging. A lawn crossed by a paved path, round shrubs, a stone mound and metal fencing complete the layout.

The garden served the commandery of Pitzemburg from the Middle Ages. In 1580 Carolus Clusius planted potatoes here for the first time. After the order was abolished, an English landscape garden was laid out in the nineteenth century for the Société Royale d'Horticulture, designed by Louis Fuchs in 1862. The city took over the park in 1912 and opened it to all.

The white marble statue of botanist Rembert Dodoens sits at the heart of the space, reflecting the garden's deep connection to plant science. Herbs planted nearby and organized by species and color invite visitors to explore and learn about their different properties.

The grounds are laid out openly with many paths for walking and exploring at your own pace, making it welcoming for visitors of all ages. Facilities are clearly marked and the terrain is flat and easy to navigate, with seating areas scattered throughout for resting.

The garden's nickname, "den Botanique", comes from its nineteenth-century use by the Société Royale d'Horticulture, which opened the grounds to the public twice a week. The white marble statue of Rembert Dodoens was unveiled in 1862, the same year Louis Fuchs designed the garden.