Orto Botanico dell'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, University botanical garden and natural history museum in Modena, Italy

The Orto Botanico dell'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia is a botanical garden and natural history museum that covers roughly one hectare in the center of the city. Multiple greenhouses run through the grounds, housing more than 1,400 plant species and an extensive collection of preserved specimens for study.

Duke Francesco III d'Este founded this botanical garden in 1758 as a collection of medicinal plants for research and treatment. The site became formally integrated into the university in 1772 and developed its scientific structure.

The garden is used today as a teaching space where the historic Parterre-School section displays roughly 700 European plant species arranged in radial flowerbeds around a central water feature. This layout reflects how plants were once organized for learning and study.

The garden stands at viale Caduti in Guerra 127, beside the Giardino Ducale in the old city centre, and is open on weekdays during the warmer months, closing in August; admission is free. The three greenhouses line the middle of the grounds, with the Montagnola arboretum and the gravel paths of the lowlands around them.

The garden joined the Botanic Gardens Conservation International network, which gives it international recognition. Its herbarium, built up through purchases and donations, is among Italy's most important historical lichen herbaria. Director Emilio Chiovenda added specimens from Eritrea and Somalia between 1929 and 1935.