Record #00331Human Society archive
Oldest University Botanical Garden Still Operating on Its Original Site
The University of Padua's botanical garden was founded in 1545 and still serves research and education on its original grounds. UNESCO identifies it as the world's oldest surviving university botanical garden of this type.
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Achievement date
1545
1545
- Achiever
- Botanical Garden of Padua
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteFounded in 1545 under Venetian rule, the garden supported the study of medicinal plants for university students. Its original design features a circular plot and surrounding watercourse, later supplemented with greenhouses and research facilities.
UNESCO inscribed the site in 1997 and highlights both continuity of scientific use and preservation of the founding layout. Pisa's botanical garden dates to 1544 but moved twice, so it does not qualify under the same-site criterion.
Record history
1 Milestones- First achievementBotanical Garden of PaduaPadua, Veneto, ItalyFirst achievement
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
The original Guinness or UNESCO authority explicitly affirms the world-leading comparison, rather than only a numerical measurement.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-04
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-04
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