Botanical Garden: We Have Proof, the Spring is Here!
The fact that spring has arrived can be seen in the entire carpets made of different spring flowers that will blossom in the Botanical Garden in the very centre of the city until May.
A walk in the city centre, a tour of a museum or exploration of the city’s history often lead to parks which make up the so-called Lenuzzi’s or Green Horseshoe. This is an opportunity to take a short break or rest in the beautiful surroundings of well-kept flower beds, in the shade of trees, fountains or next to historical monuments. This green line also leads to the Botanical Garden of the Biology Department of the Faculty of Science.
This year the Botanical Garden is open as of mid-February in order for visitors to be able to enjoy various plants as well as spring flowers, which will blossom until May.
The garden covers the total surface of 4.7 hectares, most of which is arboretum designed in a landscape or so-called English style.
The garden is protected by law as a monument of park architecture. Visitors have an opportunity to see many plan species that grow in our climate as well as those from all over the world which are grown in the garden with a lot of care and knowledge of experts. All the plants are marked with name plates in Latin, which also contain their folk name and origin.
Last year the Botanical Garden marked 135 years since its foundation. It was established in 1889 and its basic concept has not been altered since which is seen as a valuable characteristic. The idea of establishing a botanical garden was initiated by Professor Bohuslav Jiruš, the first professor of botany at the University of Zagreb. His successor, Professor Antun Heinz, brought this idea to life. Before its construction, a tour of the European botanical gardens was made so the garden in Zagreb was designed based on their model with the help of head gardener Vítězslav Durchánek. The first design and construction work in the Garden started in 1890, and the first planting started in 1892. In this period, a greenhouse, the gardener’s house, the exhibition pavilion, public restroom, two artificial ponds and a fountain with irrigation pools were built. As early as the 20th century the garden was already rich in species, aesthetically well-designed and carefully maintained.
With prior notice, a tour of the garden can be done with a guide.
Heading image: J. Duval