Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum

The Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum is one of the most precious gems of the German capital, not only for its vast collection of plants, but also for its rich cultural and scientific history. Founded in the early 20th century under the direction of Adolf Engler, the garden covers an area of 43 hectares and houses around 22,000 plant species, making it one of the largest and most important botanical gardens in the world. The creation of the Botanical Garden dates back to the period between 1897 and 1910, when Berlin was one of the scientific capitals of Europe. Engler, a renowned botanist and biogeographer, conceived the garden as a “walkable world map” representing the vegetation of the temperate northern hemisphere. This phytogeographic arrangement allows visitors to explore different climatic and vegetational zones, from tropical rainforests to arid steppes. One of the main attractions is the Great Tropical House, built in 1907 and recently renovated in 2009. This monumental greenhouse houses tropical plants from around the world and serves as a perfect refuge for visitors during the cold Berlin winters. The cactus house, with its extraordinary collection of succulent plants, is another point of interest, fascinating for the variety and bizarre shapes of the plants on display. The Botanical Museum, founded in 1905, is unique in Central Europe and provides an ideal complement to the garden’s living collection. Currently undergoing renovation, the museum will remain closed until 2025, but when it reopens, visitors will be able to admire exhibitions ranging from the funerary equipment of Egyptian pharaohs, with flowers and plants found in tombs, to the original collections of Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt, a famous explorer and naturalist, collected over 60,000 plant specimens during his travels, and many of these are displayed in the museum. Accessibility is another strength of the Botanical Garden. Services and pathways are available for people with disabilities, including sensory gardens designed specifically for visually impaired individuals. This commitment to inclusivity makes the garden a welcoming place for everyone.