Botanical Garden of Naples

The Botanical Garden of Naples, located in via Foria, is one of the most important and fascinating scientific institutions in the city. Founded in 1810 during the Napoleonic period, the garden was initially designed to promote botanical research and scientific education. Its creation is attributed to Giuseppe Bonaparte and later to Gioacchino Murat, who wanted to provide Naples with a cutting-edge scientific institution, in line with the other great European cities of the time. The garden covers an area of about 15 hectares and hosts an extraordinary variety of plants from around the world. Currently, there are over 25,000 specimens of flora, representing about 10,000 different species. This impressive biodiversity is organized into different thematic areas, including the garden of Mediterranean plants, the collection of succulent plants, and the tropical greenhouse, known as Serra Merola. One of the strengths of the Botanical Garden is its collection of monumental trees, which includes specimens of Ginkgo biloba, considered a living fossil, and magnificent specimens of Ficus macrophylla, known for their imposing size and aerial roots. Additionally, the garden houses a vast collection of tree ferns and a section dedicated to aquatic plants, with ponds and tanks that replicate natural environments. The history of the Botanical Garden is marked by illustrious figures who have contributed to its growth and prestige. Among them, Federico Delpino, director from 1883 to 1905, who founded the “Bullettino dell’Orto Botanico della Real Università di Napoli,” a scientifically important publication. Fridiano Cavara, who directed the garden from 1906 to 1929, expanded the collections and created new thematic areas, such as the one dedicated to medicinal plants. During World War II, the Botanical Garden suffered serious damage due to bombings and the occupation of Allied troops, who used the garden as a training ground and parking lot for military vehicles. The structure was severely damaged, but thanks to the efforts of Giuseppe Catalano, director from 1948 to 1959, and Valerio Giacomini, who took over in 1959, the garden was gradually restored and brought back to its former glory. Another crucial moment in the history of the Botanical Garden was the era of Aldo Merola, director from 1963 to 1980, who obtained administrative and financial autonomy for the structure, allowing for important modernization interventions. Under his guidance, new greenhouses were built and irrigation systems were improved, making the garden an internationally renowned center for botanical research. In addition to research and conservation, the Botanical Garden of Naples plays a fundamental role in education and scientific outreach. The garden regularly organizes guided tours, educational workshops, and cultural events, aimed at schools, universities, and the general public. These initiatives aim to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of biodiversity and plant conservation. The garden also houses the Museum of Paleobotany and Ethnobotany, which exhibits fossil remains and ethnobotanical materials of great interest. This section of the museum offers a journey through time, exploring the evolution of plants and their use in different human cultures.