Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra

Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal

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The Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra (Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra) is one of the world's most highly regarded botanical gardens, located in the heart of Coimbra, Portugal, on the "Alta de Coimbra" near the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra's Faculty of Science and Technology.

Founded in 1772 by initiative of the Marquis of Pombal to complement the study of Natural History and Medicine, the garden covers approximately 13 to 13.5 hectares on land mostly donated by Benedictine friars and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013 as part of the University of Coimbra, Alta and Sofia.

The garden is spread over several levels, staircases, and avenues, featuring tropical and cold greenhouses with a stream and waterfall, Medical and Systematic Schools, an arboretum, and a formal hedge maze garden with statues and a central fountain, housing more than 1,500 plant species from different latitudes and regions worldwide, making it a true living museum. 

From 1790, naturalist and botanist Avelar Brotero established the first practical Botany school there, and today the garden focuses on raising awareness about plant diversity, climate change, and sustainable resource use while fulfilling its mission as a place of training, culture, leisure, and research for over 250 years.