Amsterdam boasts one of the world's oldest botanical gardens of the world called Hortus Botanicus.
It was created in 1638 by the city council under the name of Hortus Medicus.
It was a herb garden with medicinal plants for Amsterdam's doctors and pharmacists.
Today it's one of Amsterdam's top attractions.
Let's talk about it.
Amsterdam Botanic Garden: article summary
Amsterdam Botanic Garden: at a glance
The reasons for creating a specialized medicinal garden were very serious: at the time, the cities of Leiden and Utrecht were experiencing the plague epidemic (1634-1637). claiming thousands of victims.
In addition, several monasteries had left the growing city and there was not enough space in Amsterdam to plant herbs.
In the second half of the 17th century, the Amsterdam garden Hortus Botanicus already established at its current address (since 1682) and boasted a rich collection of plants totally unknown in Europe.
They were brought here from all over the world by traders from the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Some plants from the Amsterdam Botanic Garden, such as a single coffee tree, Coffea Arabica, or two small potted oil palms brought to Hortus Botanicus, are now considered the parents of the entire crop of these plants. which then spread to every continent.
The Botanical Gardens today
Today, Hortus Botanicus is a large and attractive botanical garden in Amsterdam, with over 6,000 different plants. Some plants are unique, such as a 2000-year-old agave cactus and a 300-year-old giant oriental Kape cycas.
The large new greenhouse creates conditions for three different tropical climates. There's also the garden, where plants are grown in a way that shows the systematic relationship between them.
Two suggested itineraries through the Hortus : La Route de l'Évolution and La Route des Arbres with 24 monumental trees to see.
Hortus Botanicus has a beautiful café for its visitors, located in the Orangery, with a large outdoor terrace opening onto the garden.
Why visit the Amsterdam Botanic Garden?
It's a quiet, relaxing place to visit on a hot afternoon. Beautiful plants, real peace, lots of fresh air and fewer tourists than elsewhere in town.
All this less than 5 minutes' walk from Rembrandt's house and close to Artis, the Amsterdam Zoo. Of course, I recommend that you come take a breath of fresh air in this exceptional setting!
What are the Botanical Gardens' opening hours?
The Hortus opens daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. On Sundays in July and August, they open until 7 p.m.
L'Hortus closes on January 1ᵉʳ and December 25
How much do tickets cost?
For admission to the Amsterdam Botanical Gardens, you'll need to allow :
- 9 euros for adults
- 5 euros for children aged 5 to 14
- 5 euros for students with a student card
The different facilities at Hortus Botanicus
On site, you'll find an interesting store selling bulbs, plants and seeds, as well as books on plants and toys (open during garden opening hours, also to non-visitors).
Other facilities at the Amsterdam Botanical Garden include a café, to relax after your visit.
How do I get to Hortus Botanicus?
You can get there by public transport with :
- Visit streetcars 9 and 14 and get off at the M. Visserplein stop.
- Streetcar 6 (Monday to Friday only): last stop.
- Visit metro from Central Station: Waterlooplein stop (exit the station in the direction of Hortusplantsoen).
The Amsterdam Botanical Garden is a place I recommend you visit. On site, you'll find a wide range of plants and be able to take a breath of fresh air between two visits.
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