10 hectares and 200 years of history, the Orto Botanico (The Botanical Gardens) Palermo, is home to about 12,000 species of flora (*OMG right?!)
The garden was founded by the University of Palermo in 1789 and the main entrance is on Via Lincoln. The Orto Botanico has played an important role in the study of different tropical and subtropical flora in Sicily and throughout the Mediterranean region.
Palermo’s favourable climate (*mainly the fact that winter is very kind and summer is ridiculously hot) makes this open-air living museum a sight to behold.
We spent our afternoon getting lost among the plants, falling in love with the aromas of palm and sweet smelling flowers and sweating through every pore under the July sun beating down on our already sunburnt shoulders.
The Villa Giulia next door was just as charming (*more symmetrical and cared for in comparison to it’s wild growing neighbour) with more refined and delicate plants. The garden also hosted elaborate mini fountains and stunning white stone sculptures including a special sundial in the heart of the garden.
Timings and admin prices are available online on the official website!
karibu 