ORTO BOTANICO LORENZO ROTA

If you happen to catch sight of the lotus flowerthe papyrus or the carnivora sundew thrive alongside Madagascar palms, candelabra cacti and the rare orobica sanguisorba, you are certainly at the Botanical Garden of Bergamo. Far from being a Tower of Babel plant, this space is a refined outpost of the Plant Kingdom: a place where the main botanical categories that classify the more than 250,000 species on our planet are represented.

A Balance between Art and Science

In just 2,400 square metres, the human imprint is crucial. It is only through meticulous study and constant care that it is possible for more than 1,200 taxa. This skilful artifice transforms the Garden into an educational and evocative experience, capable of shortening the distance between the public and the plant world, educating them to respect nature.

Research and Conservation

The institute is not just an exhibition venue, but an active centre for environmental protection:

• Conservation: Protection of endangered species.
• Reintroduction: Projects to bring endangered plants back into the wild.
• International Exchange: Sharing seeds, fruits and spores with a global network of botanical institutions.

A success story: Osmunda regalis > Of particular note is the recovery of the Osmunda regalis, a fern described in 1853 by Lorenzo Rota (a pioneer of Bergamo botany) and was declared missing from the area for decades. About twelve years ago, thanks to the work of the Garden, the plant was successfully reintroduced into its original habitats in Val Calepio and along the Adda.

A Global Network

Today, the Botanical Garden of Bergamo is a strategic node of the Network of Botanical Gardens of Lombardy and member of the prestigious BGCI (Botanic Garden Conservation International), confirming its role of excellence in protecting the world's biodiversity.