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L e i d e n-info
Hortus Botanicus
(Botanical Gardens Leiden)
The green treasury
The hortus botanicus is a botanical celebration right in the hart of Leiden.
It is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Plants from all over the world have been carefully cultivated here by experts for more than four centuries. Originally founded as centre for research and learning, it has become an important part of the city's cultural history, and is a green oasis of tranquillity in the middle of the busy city. The Hortus Botanicus boasts many highlights: the Clusius garden (a reconstruction), the 18th century Orangery with its monumental tub plants, the rare collection of historical trees hundred of years old, the Japanese Von Siebold Memorial Garden symbolizing the historical link between East (Japan) and west (the Netherlands), the tropical greenhouses with their world class plant collections, and the central square and new Conservatory exhibiting exotic plants from South Africa and Southern Europe. There is also a shop and a café.
With other words, in the Hortus Botanicus you will be under the impression that you are in a
complete different world!
Clusius and his Tulip
Clusius already has been mentioned above as one of the gardens in the Hortus Botanicus is named after this famous scientist who was Horti Praefectus in Leiden.
It was Clusius that has brought the Tulip under the attention of the public at large. He was also the first horticulturist that grew a tulip in the Netherlands.
Carolus Clusius also known as Charles de l'Ecluse lived from 1526 till 1609. The fact that he studied medicines gave him his great fame when he started studying flowers systematically.
At that time it was a great honour for Leiden to have such a famous scientist working within its city borders.
A floral Discovery
A walk through the gardens takes the visitor through a variety of climates, from cold and humid
to oppressive tropical heat. It is a voyage of discovery through the kingdom of plant life.
There are arum from Sumatra, carnivorous plants from Borneo, orchids and passion flowers, bananas,
rice, cocoa, coffee, laburnum and swamp cypress. But the jewel in the crown of the greenhouses
is the giant Victoria amazonica water lily.
The perfect place to meet and learn.
The Hortus Botanicus offers a varied programma of exhibitions, concerts, workshops, creativity courses, activities for the young and guided tours on specific subjects, all of which can be combined with coffee served in the Conservatory. The Orangery and the Conservatory are the perfect settings for any special meeting, they offer tranquillity and style.
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