Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia originated from the orchard used for the teaching of botanical studies which was created in the 16th century, although its original location is unknown. In the 18th century with The Age of Enlightenment and the support of a number of public organisations, a new garden was created, designed for scientific ends, it was called the Tramoveres Orchard.

However, work did not begin until 1803 under the direction of the rector Vicent Blasco. It flourished between 1829 and 1863 when it was run by the Professor of Botany, Félix Pizcueta, who developed the collections, adding exotic plants in acclimatised greenhouses. Shortly after, the garden was extended towards the Paseo de la Pechina, with the new Balsa greenhouse and at the end of the 19th century a large garden shade-house was built by Arturo Mélida.

Today the gardens boast an important collection of some three thousand species of trees and plants from around the world, particularly noteworthy being the collection of palm trees, tropical shrubs, cactus and desert flora. Since 1987 the gardens have once again taken on a research and teaching function, belonging to the university rectory which instigated several improvements carried out in the year 2000.