The Botanical Garden extends over 13.5 hectares on land donated by the Benedictine friars. The garden was created with the aim of complementing the study of Natural History and Medicine at the University of Coimbra. Marquês de Pombal, great driver of its construction, in 1773, delivered the project to the Italians Domingos Vandelli and Dalla Bella, being Rector D. Francisco de Lemos Coutinho. From the end of the 18th century, the role played by Portuguese botanists and naturalists Félix Avelar Brotero, Júlio Henriques and Luís Carrisso stands out.
Spread over several levels, stairs and avenues, it is one of the most renowned botanical gardens in the world, allowing a trip to the four corners of the Earth, due to the diversity of plants it has.
The forest occupies two thirds of the total area of the garden and is essentially composed of exotic trees in free growth and bamboo.
MONUMENT TO JÚLIO HENRIQUES
The statue, by Barata Feyo, portrays, standing up, in a ceremonial pose, with the University's talar garb and respective insignia, the professor and botanist, a major proponent of botanical studies in Portugal.
MONUMENT TO LUÍS CARRISSO
Bas-relief by José Santos depicting Luís Carrisso, with glasses and a very expressive face. The tribute, inaugurated in 1948, overlooks a small lake with water lilies.
