135 Years of the Botanical Garden: Living in the Rhythm of Nature

In mid-February, a bit sooner than expected, the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology, the Faculty of Natural sciences and Mathematics opened its door after a short winter break. Climate changes have hastened vegetation so dormancy periods of plants are becoming shorter and early spring blooms, whose beauty is enjoyed by visitors, appear earlier.

Citizens and visitors of Zagreb often go to the Botanical Garden, which is the largest one in Croatia and also a monument of park architecture protected by law, located in the very city centre. A string of city parks of the so-called Lenuci’s or Green Horseshoe leads you and brings you back to it.

The Botanical Garden offers a respite in a beautiful ambience, follows the rhythm of nature, but also allows visitors to see many plant species from the region as well as those from the entire world. They are grown by experts with a lot of attention and knowledge.

The Botanical Garden was open in 1889 and this year it celebrates 135^th anniversary of the continuous operation. Professor Bohuslav Jiruš, the first professor of botany at the University of Zagreb was the initiator of the idea of establishing a botanical garden, and his idea was put to practice by professor Antun Heinz in 1889. A tour of European botanical gardens preceded the foundation of the one in Zagreb, so it was modelled after them with the help of Viteslav Durhanek, the head gardener.

The construction started in 1890 and the first planting happened in 1892. Within this period, the greenhouse, gardener’s house, exhibition pavilion, public toilets, two small artificial ponds and basins with a fountain for watering the area were built. In early 20^th century, the Botanical Garden was already very rich in species, aesthetically designed and carefully groomed and maintained.

Today it hosts more than 6000 plant taxa and a valuable collection of Croatian flora.

There is a possibility of a guided tour of the garden with prior notice.