Minerva's Garden, Medieval botanical garden in Salerno, Italy
Description
Minerva's Garden is a botanical garden in Salerno housing over 300 plant species spread across multiple levels. A 17th-century staircase connects these areas, while water channels and fountains supply each terrace.
History
Matthaeus Silvaticus founded this garden around 1300 as a learning space for the Salerno Medical School. Students came here to identify medicinal plants and understand their use in medical practice.
Culture
The garden takes its name from Minerva and reflects the ancient connection between healing plants and divine wisdom. Visitors can see how the plants are organized into themed areas that show how people in the medieval period understood nature and healing.
Practical
The grounds are accessible via terraced paths with moderate slopes, so comfortable footwear is advisable. A rest area in the garden offers herbal teas made from plants grown on site.
Did you know?
The garden displays medieval painted tiles discovered during restoration of the adjacent Palazzo Capasso, offering a rare glimpse into the neighborhood's artistic past. These tiles feature patterns and colors from centuries ago and add an unexpected historical layer to the visit.
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