Botanic Garden Copenhagen - Copenhagen Tourist

The Botanical Garden - Copenhagen

*A Part of the Danish Cultural Heritage*

Botanical Garden - Copenhagen

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The Botanical Garden - Copenhagen

Online & Onsite Sightseeing - Copenhagen


	20 - worth seeing sites

Botanical Garden - Copenhagen

The present Botanical Garden was established in 1872 - on the old ramparts of Copenhagen.

The Botanical Garden - Copenhagen

Four Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen’s first Botanical Garden was founded in the central part of the old city in around 1600 - and the second near Frederiks Hospital in 1752 - by the initiative of King Frederik V (1723-1766 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1746-1766). The third Botanical Garden was placed in 1778 at Nyhavn near Amalienborg Palace and the present Botanical Garden - the fourth in the succession of university gardens - was established in 1872 - on the former fortification area of the city. The rock gardens and other higher areas are part of the old ramparts - while the lake is a remnant of the former city moat.

The third Botanical Garden - 1778

The third Botanical Garden was established in 1778 - beside the Charlottenborg estate right up to the canals of Nyhavn and near Kongens Nytorv (Kings Square). The picture is from 1840.

The present Botanical Garden inaugurated - 1874

The present Botanical Garden in 1875 - with the Palm House in the back. The garden was placed in beside the new municipal hospital of Copenhagen - and opened to the public on October 1874.

An Institute with living plant
The Botanical Garden is an Institute within the University of Copenhagen and has quietly developed and integrated into the capital of over 1.5 million people - with an enjoyable mix of landscaped lawns - formal gardens - lovely lakes and greenhouses. The institute cultivates a large collection of living plants for research - education and general information - with the aim of increasing the botanical knowledge and awareness of nature on a national as well as on a global scale. The Botanical Garden displays Denmark's largest collection of living plants and houses the only gene bank for wild species. A very interesting attraction in the Botanical Garden is also the more than 400 years old cactus called Golden Barrel Cactus.

The new Palm House - 1874

The new Palm House in 1874 - with the large glass surfaces that covered more than 2,500 m² including the four attached greenhouses. The Crystal Palace greenhouse in London was used as a source of inspiration for the Palm House construction.

The flowered bridge - and discus thrower

The flowered bridge over the lake in 1917 - with the statue of the discus thrower in the back. The lake was the remaining of the original moat that once surrounded the ramparts of Copenhagen and today a fresh water habitat for a rich birdlife.

The Palm House & Poplar Wedding Venue
Around the 10 hectares of the Botanical Garden there are many interesting features and collections of various and seldom species. The 19th century Palm House has a lot of tropical and subtropical plants - orchids - cacti and other succulents - and a historical collection of Cycads. Other greenhouses display collections of orchids from Thailand and plants from Madagascar as well as Bromeliads and insectivorous plants. The brewer and owner of the Carlsberg brewery J.C. Jacobsen was chairman of the committee that established the Botanical Garden and had experience the Crystal Palace greenhouse in London - which gave him the inspiration to build a big modern Palm House and four other green houses with large glass surfaces that covered more than 2,500 m2. The Palm house was completed 1874 - with a tropical rainforest and tall tropical trees as pineapple - mango and Cocoa. The Palm House - with its many exotic plants and flowers - is a popular wedding venue and a romantic place to get married in tropic surroundings.

Tropical and subtropical plants

The Palm House - with its tropical and subtropical plants situated beside the beautiful garden lake and occupying a focal position in the park - which is a central meeting place for ideas and relaxations.

Magnificent range of exotic plants

Inside the tropical Palm House are many wild species and a historical collection of Cycads and a magnificent range of exotic plants. The Palm House is an oasis for flower lovers and gardening fans.

The largest collection of annuals
In the outdoor section one can find arctic and alpine plants - wild Danish plants - perennials - annuals (probably the largest collection in the world) and tuberous species such as Cyclamen - Crocus and Fritillaries.

The Annual plants

The annual plants in the Botanical Garden is probably the largest collection in the world - and spread all over the garden area - here is the Pelargonium sort - which is a common plant found in more than 200 species and variations.

Wild Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen persicum growing wild and traditionally classified in the family Primulaceae. Cyclamen is a genus of 20 species of flowering plants that typically grow in dry forest or scrub - where they are partly shaded from intense sunlight.

Thousands and thousands of living specimens
In the Botanical Garden of Copenhagen there are 25 thousand living specimens represented and a total of more than 13,000 species. In comparison - the total flora of Europe numbers some 11,000 species - and the total world flora of higher plants is estimated to be between 260 and 300 thousand species.

Different historic orchids from the 1800s

Many types of different orchids are grown in the greenhouses - and are some of the garden’s most valuable plants with a historic background - as some are collected on Danish expeditions in the 1800s. Here is the yellow orchid in full blossom.

Antique statues all over the Botanical Garden

Antique statues are placed alongside the many paths and green pavements in the Botany Park - and is a natural enchantment for visitors - here the statue of the discus thrower - which is a copy of the original by Myron from 430 B.C..

Visitors to the Botanical Garden
The major part of the Botanical Garden is open and approachable for visitors - as well as almost all outdoor sections - like the Palm house and the greenhouses with orchids - bromeliads - succulents etc. Nevertheless certain assortments and parts in the garden are not open for guests as these specific sections are reserved for researchers - teachers and students in connection with their studies and ongoing educational projects.

Location
The Botanical Garden is beautifully located near Rosenborg Castle - The National Gallery -Nørreport Station and few minutes from the pedestrian street "Strøget". Free entrance.

The Botanical Garden

Address
Botanical Garden - Copenhagen University
Oester Farimagsgade 2B
1353 Copenhagen K

Trains – Nørreport station
Metro – Nørreport Station

Botanical Garden - Copenhagen
(Københavns Botaniske Have)

This Site will be subject to changes!

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