Orto botanico dell'Università di Bologna, Botanical garden in San Vitale, Bologna, Italy
The Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna is a botanical garden in the city spanning two hectares with a rectangular layout and four greenhouses housing diverse plant collections. The site extends to the historic city walls and contains two main university department buildings integrated within its boundaries.
The garden was founded in 1568 by Ulisse Aldrovandi at Palazzo D'Accursio and later relocated twice before settling at its current Via Irnerio location in 1803. These moves reflect how botanical education and research evolved within the university over time.
The garden displays plants historically used in medicine and research, showing how the university integrated practical knowledge with scientific study over centuries. The arrangement of sections reflects the academic purpose of understanding plant life and its practical applications.
The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday with winter hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and summer hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours can be arranged by appointment to explore the collections and learn about the site's heritage.
The neoclassical greenhouses designed by Francesco Tadolini in 1765 remain in their original form today. Their enduring presence shows how durable early glasshouse architecture proved to be over more than two centuries.
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