Alter Botanischer Garten

Welcome to the Alter Botanischer Garten, a site where the rigid taxonomies of science once met the fluid beauty of Romantic landscape design. As you stand at the entrance near Karlsplatz, take a moment to breathe in the damp,…

As you move deeper into the garden, you encounter the monumental entrance portal, a testament to Munich’s 'Athens on the Isar' aspirations. This stone structure, designed by Emanuel Herigoyen in 1812, serves as a ceremonial…

Turning your attention to the lower flower beds, we find a rich tapestry of perennial plants that define the garden's seasonal rhythm. Among the ferns, you will see the elegant Bell Flowers, their nodding heads providing a…

At the heart of the garden sits the Fountain of Neptune, a masterpiece of sculpture that anchors the spatial design. Created in the 1930s by Joseph Wackerle, this fountain replaced earlier structures and added a layer of mythic…

As we walk toward the northern edge of the garden, we tread upon ground that once held one of Munich’s most spectacular architectural achievements: the Glaspalast, or Glass Palace. Modeled after London’s Crystal Palace, this…

In the brightly lit center of the garden, we find the more exotic and sun-loving species that highlight the diversity of the collection. The Cannas, with their broad, paddle-like leaves and fiery red and orange blooms, provide a…

We now move toward the more secluded, shaded areas of the garden where the light filters through a dense canopy, creating a cool, damp sanctuary. This is the domain of the ferns and shade-loving perennials. …

As we conclude our tour of the Alter Botanischer Garten, we find ourselves back near the entrance, looking once more at the neoclassical portal. This garden is more than just a collection of plants; it is a historical document, a…