Hortus botanicus Leiden, Botanical garden and museum in Leiden, Netherlands.
The Hortus botanicus is a garden with greenhouses and research areas housing thousands of plant species across the grounds. The collection spreads through specialized sections that recreate different climates and habitats.
The garden was founded in 1590 by Leiden University and originally served as a place to study medicinal plants for students. Over time, it outgrew its initial medical purpose and evolved into a major research and collection center.
The gardens display plant collections from around the world, showing how botanists have exchanged knowledge across borders for centuries. Visitors can see today how these international connections remain alive in the different sections of the space.
The garden is open daily and can be explored on foot, with different areas easy to reach. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow time to walk between the gardens and greenhouses.
The garden houses a significant collection of orchids from Southeast Asia, maintained primarily for scientific research. This specialization makes it a lesser-known center for botanical study that goes beyond the typical tourist garden.
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