Botanical Garden of University of Bern

Bern, Switzerland, Switzerland

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The Botanical Garden of the University of Bern (often called BOGA) is a compact university botanic garden of about two hectares, lying on the sunny slope of the Aare valley close to the river and the Lorraine Bridge in the centre of Bern. Founded in the mid-19th century (around 1859–1860) as a study garden for the university, it has since become both a scientific institution and a popular public park, known as a green oasis within the city. The garden cultivates roughly 5,500–6,000 plant species from around the world, displayed outdoors and in several show greenhouses that represent different climatic regions, including sections for tropical plants, Mediterranean and steppe vegetation, East Asian forests and an alpine garden (Alpinum) that presents mountain floras from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and Rockies. It supports research and teaching in botany and conservation, highlights the importance and vulnerability of plants to the public through interpretive displays and events, and offers free admission, making it a place for learning, quiet recreation and city-centre biodiversity appreciation.