University of Basel Botanical Garden

Basel, Switzerland

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The University of Basel Botanical Garden in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1589 by Caspar Bauhin, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and the oldest in Switzerland.

It is located centrally next to Basel’s historic Spalentor and covers a relatively small area but houses over 7,500 plant species representing important habitats from around the globe. The garden includes seven themed greenhouses such as a tropical house, cold house, succulent house, and the historic Victoria house that shelters rare species like the giant Amazon water lily.

Its collections feature noteworthy specimens including ancient trees like giant sequoias and ginkgo bilobas, as well as rare plants like the Titan arum. The garden serves as a public educational resource, offering free tours and peaceful grounds for visitors to learn about plant diversity and conservation. It combines centuries of botanical research with modern-day sustainability and biodiversity efforts, showcasing a rich legacy of plant preservation in an urban setting.