The historic center of our city houses a place as fascinating as unknown: the Botanical Garden of Parma.
Before the present Garden, there was in Parma a Garden “dei Semplici” founded by Ranuccio I Farnese, according to the use of the period, medicinal herbs were cultivated.
Instead, the birth of the Botanical Garden dates back to 1768 thanks to the will of the abbot Giambattista Guatteri, holder of the chair of Botany at the University of Parma, introduced the study of plants in an experimental way, succeeding in successfully acclimatizing exotic plants, thus bringing the Garden of Parma to be considered among the most important in Europe.
The greenhouse was designed by the French architect Petitot and was completed in 1793.
In 1950, the director Fausto Lona enlarged the existing buildings, creating a set of climatically suitable environments for the study of plants; the environment gathers and protects the native flora which offers the visitor the sense of a naturalistic excursion in the territory. You can also admire collections of exotic species. Among the many plants present we must mention the Ginkgo biloba planted in 1791, the collections of succulents, roses, aquatic plants, insectivores, native bonsai, not to mention the Parma violet, the flower symbol of Parma.
How to identify the Parma Violet? Simply close your eyes and rely on your sense of smell: its intoxicating scent acts as a guide. The origins of this flower are mysterious: when it arrived in Parma it was welcomed with great enthusiasm. From here began the process of selection that led to a local species that was later renamed “Viola Odorata Duchess of Parma” in honor of the one who nurtured an immense passion for it: Maria Luigia of Austria.