Old Botanical Garden, Zurich, Botanical garden near Schanzengraben moat, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Old Botanical Garden Zurich is a landscaped area of roughly five acres with pathways, plant beds, and various structures for cultivation. At its center stands a distinctive glasshouse from the 19th century that continues to define the layout of the grounds.
The garden was founded in 1837 by gardener Leopold Karl Theodor Fröbel based on collections from naturalist Conrad Gessner. The site had to move several times as the city expanded around it.
The garden takes its name from Conrad Gessner, a 16th-century naturalist whose collection work laid the foundation for this place. Visitors can still find plant groupings today that reflect the historical interests of that era and show how people once studied nature.
The garden lies directly beside the Schanzengraben moat and is easily reached on foot from various parts of the city. The grounds are openly accessible, and pathways run throughout to guide exploration of the different plant areas.
Beneath the garden lie remains of Baroque bastions from 1642, including the Bollwerk zur Katz, showing how the city was once defended. These underground structures stand as quiet reminders of another era in Zurich's past.
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