Pisa Botanical Garden and Museum

In 1543, the physician and botanist Luca Ghini (1490–1556) founded the world’s first university botanical garden in Pisa.

Originally established along the banks of the Arno River, the park was moved to its current location near Piazza dei Miracoli in 1591 and gradually expanded to its present size. This oasis in the heart of the city is home to plants from all over the world. From Fritillaria imperialis, the park’s signature plant with its striking orange blooms, to aquatic plants and centuries-old trees—it offers a unique botanical journey through history, science, and nature.

The area also includes the Botanical Museum, which evolved from the Natural History Gallery founded by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici in 1591. To this day, it houses portraits of famous 17th-century botanists and numerous objects related to the teaching of botany from the late 18th century.

A sea of flowers as far as the eye can see

The gardens feature approximately 6,000 plants from five continents. Among them are succulents from the African and American deserts, plants from the Tuscan scrubland, and trees—the oldest of which date back to 1787. Medicinal plants, endangered marsh plants, and agaves are also on display. The botanical garden is divided into the following seven areas: Botanical School, Cedar Garden, Myrtle Garden, Greenhouses, Piazzale Arcangeli, New Garden, and Del Gratta Garden.