Botanical Garden of Rome

The Botanical Garden of Rome, located between Via della Lungara and the Gianicolo hill, is one of the most fascinating and least known botanical gardens in the Italian capital. Officially founded in 1883, the garden covers an area of about 12 hectares, offering visitors a green refuge in the heart of Rome. The history of the Botanical Garden of Rome is rich and complex. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when Pope Niccolò III created a garden within the Vatican walls to cultivate medicinal plants. This garden became a reference point for the study of plants and the production of natural remedies. Later, in 1660, Pope Alexander VII assigned a plot of land on the Gianicolo to the University of Rome for the creation of a new botanical garden, recognizing the scientific and educational importance of such institutions. In 1820, it was transferred to the abandoned gardens of Palazzo Salviati and, in 1876, it was moved again to the convent of San Lorenzo in via Panisperna. However, these spaces proved inadequate, and in 1883 the garden finally found its current location in the gardens of Villa Corsini. The villa, purchased by the Italian State from the Corsini family, also housed the Accademia dei Lincei, an important scientific and cultural institution. The Botanical Garden of Rome is a place of great natural and scientific beauty. Inside, you can find over 3,000 plant species from around the world. Among the most striking areas of the garden are the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Bamboo Forest, and the tropical greenhouses. The Rose Garden, located on a hill, offers a panoramic view of the city and, during the flowering season, an explosion of colors and scents. One of the most impressive attractions is the Staircase of the Eleven Fountains, a monumental staircase with eleven water jets that connect the upper and lower parts of the garden. This staircase, in addition to being an architectural work of great beauty, offers an ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding panorama. The greenhouses of the Botanical Garden are another wonder not to be missed. The Monumental Greenhouse, the Corsini Greenhouse, and the Tropical Greenhouse host a wide range of exotic and tropical plants, including cacti, succulents, and orchids. These climate-controlled spaces allow the cultivation of species that would not otherwise survive in the Roman climate, offering visitors a unique and fascinating experience.