According to researchers, gardening is one of the oldest crafts known to man and dates back to prehistoric times, when it was primarily used to define open spaces. Over the years, numerous gardens, both spacious and magnificent, have been established worldwide. This article showcases the 10 oldest gardens founded by humans centuries ago that still exist today and are well-preserved. The gardens are accompanied by stunning photographs and fascinating stories that will surely entice you to visit and witness their beauty firsthand.
Estimated age: 158 years
The botanical garden in the city of St. Louis in the state of Missouri, USA, is not only the oldest botanical garden in the USA, since it has been continuously maintained since 1859, but also one of the largest gardens in all of North America, with about 6.6 million varieties of plants in its area. In addition, the garden also has the largest collection of orchids in the world, including extremely rare species of the plant that are in danger of extinction.
Estimated age: 347 years
The botanic garden founded in 1670 in the capital of Scotland is the oldest in the entire Scottish countryside, and the second oldest garden in the whole of Great Britain after the gardens in Oxford (mentioned below). The Royal Garden received its big "boost" at the beginning of the 20th century, when between 1905 and 1932 the "plant hunter", the Scottish botanist George Forrest, introduced more than 10,000 different varieties.
Estimated age: 396 years
The oldest botanical garden in England and one of the oldest research gardens in the entire world, was established in 1621 through a modest donation of only 5,000 pounds sterling (equivalent to several hundred thousand pounds sterling today) from a British earl who lived in the area. Today the place boasts one of the most diverse plant collections in the world, with more than 8,000 varieties growing in its area.
Estimated age: 424 years
The founders of the oldest botanical garden in France, which was founded during the reign of King Henri IV, received the inspiration for its establishment from the botanical garden in Padua, Italy. Once founded, this charming little corner, located in the southern city of Montpellier, served as the inspiration for the establishment of the botanical gardens in the capital, Paris. Today, around 2,860 varieties of plants adorn this blooming garden, of which around 500 are exclusively associated with the Mediterranean Basin region.
Estimated age: 427 years
Located in the city of Kashan in Iran, these gardens are not visited much by the Western world. It's a bit of a shame because it seems to be a spectacular and eye-catching place, with a very long history stretching back to the days of the great Persian Empire. The gardens that were established in 1590 suffered many years of neglect, until in 1935 they became the official property of the Iranian state, which revived and nurtured them, and in 2012 they were even declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO organization.
Estimated age: 427 years
The "Garden of the Commoners", as it is commonly called, was founded on December 1, 1545, by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I of the Medici dynasty that ruled all of Europe at the time. Initially, the place was a habitat for medicinal plants, but then its focus changed to experimental agriculture, and today it contains more than 9,000 plant varieties, including a particularly ancient tree, planted in 1720.
Estimated age: 472 years
The Botanical Garden in Padova, also known as Orto Botanico di Padova, is estimated to be 472 years old. It is considered the oldest botanical garden in the world that belongs to a university. It was constructed in 1545 under the order of the Venetian Republic's senate and covers an area of over 20,000 square meters. The garden is home to a vast collection of rare and expensive plants, making it a target for thieves. Hence, a perimeter wall was built around it to protect it from intruders. This garden has served as an inspiration for other gardens mentioned in this list.
Estimated age: 567 years
The Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan has a long history of use by Buddhist monks dating back to the 11th century AD. However, the gardens that accompany the temple were constructed between 1450 and 1473 and are considered a prime example of traditional Japanese garden design based on Zen theory. These unique gardens have been recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO organization.
Estimated age: over 900 years
The gardens, which were originally created as a source of food and healing for the monks of Westminster Abbey, are both ancient and gorgeous. Although they are no longer used by the monks, they still emanate a peaceful and holy atmosphere, despite being located in a bustling area of London. These gardens have been carefully tended, cultivated, and maintained for over 900 years, making them not only the oldest gardens in Britain but also in all of Europe.
Estimated age: 973 years
Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu province of China, was known as "heaven on earth" due to the numerous gardens built there from the 6th century AD onwards. Out of the hundreds of gardens, only 50 have survived till now. Nine of them are considered perfect examples of classical Chinese gardening, and they are collectively known as the classical gardens of Suzhou, which are considered the oldest in the world. The Blue Wave Pavilion is one of the most famous gardens among the nine, covering an area of 11,470 square meters and being one of the earliest gardens established in the city.
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