Description
In the heart of Bologna, the University’s Botanical Garden and Herbarium brings together research, history and nature, inviting visitors to discover the diversity of plant life and its importance to life on our planet. Founded in 1568 at the initiative of Ulisse Aldrovandi, it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe and is part of the University Museum Network.
The two main greenhouses are an essential part of this heritage: they house plants from different climate zones and offer visitors an opportunity to explore the connections between the plant world and everyday life.
The tropical greenhouse recreates the heat and humidity of tropical regions and equatorial rainforests. Orchids, bromeliads, coffee plants, spices and medicinal plants illustrate the richness of these environments and their importance for food, the economy and culture.
The succulent greenhouse is home to around 3,000 specimens, making it one of the most important collections in Northern Italy. The collection was established and tended for many years by botanist Giuseppe Lodi. Arranged according to their geographical origin and the way they store water in their leaves or stems, the plants reveal the different ways in which they have adapted to water scarcity.
Over time, exposure to the elements has damaged the exterior surfaces of both greenhouses, making restoration work necessary.
As the effects of climate change make the fragility of ecosystems increasingly apparent, caring for these greenhouses is about more than restoring two structures. It means ensuring that they can continue to support research, learning and the discovery of the plant world for the benefit of the wider community.