Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis, Leuven, Belgium

The Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis is the oldest botanical garden of Belgium, dating from 1738. The botanical garden has always been linked with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. It first aim was to provide herbs for medical use. Later, the gardens became used for study purposes and they hosted an extensive collection of ornamental plants, cultivated plants that could possibly be used for economic purposes and rare plants. Despite the differentiating in use, in popular language the garden is still called the Dutch equivalent for 'herbgarden' (Kruidtuin).

Nowadays the Botanical Garden is maintained by the municipality of Leuven. In contrast with many other botanical gardens, this garden has free access and is used extensively by tourists and citizens alike. The garden functions sometimes as a place of exhibition for contemporary art.

References:

Wikipedia

Miscellaneous historic sites in Belgium

User Reviews

Vladislav Vlasov (7 months ago)
After living in Leuven for the past two years, I finally managed to make it to the local botanical garden. And now I feel quite bitter for not paying a visit earlier! Though the grounds themselves are not larger, the garden is beatifully arranged and maintained.

Jaydude007 (12 months ago)
Amazing landscaping with many varieties of plants and trees. Giant maple trees and a huge greenhouse with plants that wouldn't survive the winter. If you like plants, you will love this place. Bravo to the gardeners that care for this place.

Ngân Hà (Mil) (13 months ago)
It is a large garden with a wide range of plants and it is divided into many areas both indoors and outdoors. In spring, most of plants here are blooming and full of colors. We can explore plants in different living conditions. I can find plants from my country, a tropical country, though it is far away from home now. It is totally free and there are many chairs to sit and enjoy the atmosphere here.

Alex Melnytskyy (15 months ago)
My favourite place in Leuven, big and green. You can come any season and find bloom flowers and green fields. Entrance is free, very clean, good place to come with family or friends

Simone (16 months ago)
Magical. A great experience (for free) in a botanic gardens which is very rich in species, bees, and well-taken care of. A must-see when in Leuven. A nice open-air experience in every season of the year. Very charming even in winter. Open also on Sundays.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright ys*

Historic Site of the week

Goryokaku Fortress

Goryōkaku (五稜郭) (literally, 'five-point fort') is a star fort in the Japanese city of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido. The fortress was completed in 1866. It was the main fortress of the short-lived Republic of Ezo.

Goryōkaku was designed in 1855 by Takeda Ayasaburō and Jules Brunet. Their plans was based on the work of the French architect Vauban. The fortress was completed in 1866, two years before the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is shaped like a five-pointed star. This allowed for greater numbers of gun emplacements on its walls than a traditional Japanese fortress, and reduced the number of blind spots where a cannon could not fire.

The fort was built by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect the Tsugaru Strait against a possible invasion by the Meiji government.

Goryōkaku is famous as the site of the last battle of the Boshin War.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Timeless Treasures of Wales

Gothic Cathedrals of Belgium

Migthy Cathar Castles

Historic Site of the week

Goryokaku Fortress

Looks like you are a history fan!