Whether Alpine, Mediterranean or from far away: the biodiversity in the botanical garden in Zurich is impressive. The university has planted the best from a wide range of climate zones and allowed them to thrive.
The place is particularly famous for its three dome-shaped exhibition houses with tropical plants and plants from dry areas.
Story
At the same time as the University of Zurich was founded in 1833, construction began on the old Zurich Botanical Garden on Schanzengraben, which still exists today. The Palm House, a listed building, was opened in 1851. It was initially built from glass and wood, and in 1877 the octagonal glass pavilion was given a cast iron frame.
Today, the complex with its valuable trees belongs to the Ethnology Museum, which is housed in the former institute buildings. Part of the old botanical garden is the so-called "Gessner Garden", a medieval herb garden on the top of the hill in memory of the naturalist and city doctor Conrad Gessner. The "zur Katz" complex housed the university's botanical garden until it moved to its new location and has served as a local recreation area in the city center since 1976.
Access
Take tram 11 or bus 31, 33 or 77 to “Hegibachplatz” or take tram 2, 4 or bus 33, 912 or 916 to “Höschgasse”. Take bus 33 or 77 to “Botanischer Garten”.
