Orto Botanico di Palermo (Palermo Botanical Garden), Palermo

Palermo Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Palermo) is a significant botanical and educational institution located in Palermo. Managed by the University of Palermo's Department of Botany, this garden spans approximately 30 acres on a distinctive red soil base that has developed over a calcareous tufaceous substratum. The garden boasts a rich collection of around 12,000 plant species, highlighting its role as a center for botanical study and conservation.

The origins of the Palermo Botanical Garden trace back to 1779, with the establishment of a botanical chair entitled "Botany and medicinal properties" by the Accademia dei Regi Studi. This academic initiative led to the allocation of land for the creation of a modest botanical garden dedicated to the cultivation of medicinal plants. The primary goals of this early garden were to enhance general learning and promote public health through the study of plant properties.

The central architectural feature of the garden is the Gymnasium, a Neo-classical building located near the main entrance. This historical building originally housed the main office of the Schola Regia Botanice (Royal School of Botany), the herbarium, the botanical library, and the director's office, playing a crucial role in the academic and administrative functions of the garden.

One of the oldest parts of the garden is the Linneian section, which is designed in a rectangular layout divided into four quadrangles, known as "quatrains" or "quartini." These quadrants are further subdivided into flowerbeds where plants were originally organized according to the Linnaean system of classification. This layout not only reflects the historical botanical practices but also serves as a living museum illustrating the development of botanical sciences.

Today, the Palermo Botanical Garden continues to serve as a vibrant site for botanical research, education, and conservation, attracting scholars, students, and visitors interested in the rich diversity of plant life and the history of botanical studies.