Sunday, April 22, 2012

Earth Day 2012: Gorgeous and Small Botanical Garden from Padua

Today, 22nd of April 2012, is the Earth Day. I’ve many thoughts about what I should write in green dedicated to this. I got many postcards from beautiful natural places, many included in UNESCO World Heritage List, but the place I am talking about is no bigger than my backyard and I simply love it. I’m referring to Orto Botanico di Padova or The Botanical Garden from Padua which is the first of its kind in the World. It was created in 1545 and it was devoted to the growth of medicinal plants. The first keeper of the garden was Luigi Squalermo called Anguillara. The garden was enriched with plants from all over the world, and especially from the countries connected in a way with Venice. The garden’s development was gradually accompanied by the establishment of a library, a herbarium and a number of laboratories. From 1997 it is a UNESCO site. The architecture it is a perfect pattern of a square within a circle, divided into four parts by two paths oriented according to the cardinal points. There are plants, trees and even some water basins with water plants. At present, the oldest plant is a palm planted in 1585 called the "Goethe palm", because the poet referred to it in his essay "The Metamorphoses of Plants"; this tree is situated in a greenhouse inside the Ortus Sphearicus, where there is also a ginkgo and a magnolia dating back to the mid-18th century, which are regarded as the oldest specimens in Europe. It is steps away from the Prato della Valle and the most famous pilgrimage place Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua so you should go and visit it.

45.399158,11.880725 Click for Google Maps or use numbers on your GPS to navigate.
Wikipedia For more information, links, pictures and many more Wikipedia is the perfect site to be informed.
Official Site For visiting information (like fees and open days and times) use the official site.
Italy For travel information, the official site of the National Tourist Board, is the perfect location.


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