Origin and history of Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid
The Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid It stands as one of the most emblematic scientific, historical and cultural spaces in Spain. Founded under the influence of the enlightened monarchy, its history begins in the second half of the 18th century During the reign of Ferdinand VI, who ordered its creation and original location in the Huerta de Migas Calientes, near the Manzanares River. Its foundation and evolution reflected Madrid's passion for the natural sciences and its aspiration to become the capital of European botanical knowledge.
From its earliest years, the garden's goal was to serve as an epicenter for research, teaching and dissemination of botany, in addition to housing, preserving, and exhibiting plants collected both on the Iberian Peninsula and through ambitious scientific expeditions and exchanges with other European gardens and scientists.
Later, the garden was moved to the Paseo del Prado, very close to the current Prado Museum, in response to the desire to integrate the country's main scientific institutions around the Hill of Sciences: the Cabinet of Natural History, the Astronomical Observatory and the Botanical Garden itself.
Under the direction of prestigious architects such as Sabatini and Juan de Villanueva, a neoclassical garden characterized by stepped terraces, an ornamental fence, trellises, and a greenhouse known as the Villanueva Pavilion, which remains an architectural icon of the complex and hosts various exhibitions. The arrangement of plants in the garden largely followed Linnaeus's principles, reflecting the rise of scientific thought of the time.
During his development, he was the protagonist of important Scientific expeditions to America, the Pacific and other territoriesThese missions contributed decisively to the development of its collections and archives, making it a world reference for the study and taxonomy of plant species.
The garden's history has been marked by periods of splendor, such as the construction of new greenhouses and the consolidation of its educational function, and also by difficult times, such as damage caused by historical conflicts, cyclones, and territorial losses associated with urban development. Despite this, the garden has managed to reinvent itself and maintain its essence over the centuries, culminating in its recognition as a Artistic Garden and its integration into the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
A reference in illustration and botanical science
Throughout his extensive career, Madrid Botanical Garden has played a crucial role in the teaching botany and scientific exploration. From its origins it supported the training of naturalists, scientists and doctors, and was a central nucleus for the description, cataloging and dissemination of knowledge about plants, thanks to the support of figures such as José Quer, Antonio José Cavanilles and José Celestino Mutis.
The scientific and educational vocation of the garden promoted the celebration of expeditions to American territories, the Philippines and the Pacific, becoming one of the great centers for receiving and studying the great biodiversity discovered by the Spanish monarchy in its overseas domains. These expeditions not only brought exotic botanical species never seen before in Europe, but also drawings, plates and scientific manuscripts which today constitute documentary funds of incalculable value.
During the 19th century, the Botanical Garden also experienced moments of crisis derived from the War of independence, periods of abandonment and the impact of natural phenomena such as cyclones and the loss of part of its surface for the construction of urban infrastructure. However, in that same century, reforms and expansions were carried out, such as the creation of a small zoo and the development of new terraces and greenhouses.
Already in the 20th century, the garden was consolidated as an international reference in mycological research and micromycetological. Later, it became dependent on the CSIC, intensifying its academic work, restoring its facilities and opening new possibilities for the conservation and study of plant biodiversity.
Living collections: a unique plant mosaic
One of the main attractions of the Royal Botanical Garden is its collection of living plants, composed of thousands of species from all continents. The garden thus constitutes a true open-air museum where the diverse climates and ecosystems through the layout of its terraces and greenhouses, allowing you to admire everything from native species to the most exotic and unique ones.
- Ornamental and utilitarian plants: The garden tour ranges from vegetables and medicinal plants, to ornamental flowers, to species of edible and aromatic interest, reflecting the importance of plants in culture and daily life.
- Monumental and unique trees: Some of the oldest and most spectacular specimens in the garden are identified in the so-called itinerary of singular trees, which invites you to discover large species or those of high historical value.
- Orchids and exotic species: Of particular note is the orchid collection, considered one of the finest in Europe, and the presence of dahlias, introduced from Mexico, whose cultivation became popular on the continent thanks to the pioneering work of botanists such as Cavanilles.
- Bonsai: Thanks to recent donations and acquisitions, the garden displays a significant collection of bonsai, with emblematic species of Iberian and international flora.
The garden organizes thematic and self-guided itineraries, such as the Andalusian Route, which allows you to learn about plants relevant to food, medicine, and ornamentation in Islamic Spain, and walks focused on discovering the historic trees and unique specimens of the area.
Herbarium: an internationally renowned plant archive
The herbarium sheets represent species collected over the centuries by Spanish and international botanists, including materials from the large scientific expeditions promoted by the institution. It is a fundamental resource for the study of global flora, biodiversity, and understanding environmental changes over time.
The herbarium includes type samples, unique specimens used in the scientific description of new species, and materials associated with remote and unknown regions at the time of their collection, making it a reference for researchers around the world.
Historical archive and documentary funds
One of the lesser-known gems of the Botanical Garden is its Historical file, which houses the documentation generated by the institution, as well as materials gathered by national and international scientific expeditions of the 18th and 19th centuries. These collections have been enriched with acquisitions, donations, and purchases over the years, adding the personal archives of illustrious botanists such as Cavanilles, Lagasca, Cuatrecasas, Winthuysen, and Guinea.
The file is organized in 15 main funds or divisions, among which the following stand out:
- Institutional documentation, with archives covering the administration and activity of the garden from its beginnings to the present day.
- Scientific expeditions, such as the Expedition to the New Kingdom of Granada led by Mutis, the Botanical Expedition to Peru by Ruiz y Pavón, the Malaspina or the scientific and boundary commissions in America.
- Private funds, personal archives of prominent botanists and scientists.
- Collections of botanical drawings and prints, including more than 6.600 original drawings from the Mutis expedition and other artistic collections of great historical value.
Fine arts, instruments and artistic heritage
- Architectural and decorative elements, such as outdoor sculptures, benches and original fountains, which beautify the walks and give the whole a unique character.
- Painting and graphic work, from 18th-century paintings to contemporary works that represent the evolution of art and botany.
- Decorative arts, including watches, medals, textiles and other objects of everyday or ceremonial use that contribute to the historical memory of the institution.
- Scientific Instruments, such as magnifying glasses, microscopes, and tools for botanical field work, essential for scientific research and experimentation throughout the centuries. Many of these pieces can be seen in the CSIC's Virtual Science Museum.
They are also preserved antique gardening tools and objects associated with botanical activity, which reflect the evolution of techniques and know-how of generations of gardeners and scientists. Through temporary exhibitions and educational activities, the Jardín Botánico highlights this extraordinary material and symbolic heritage.
The great scientific expeditions and their legacy
An essential feature of the Royal Botanical Garden It is its driving role in the organization and documentation of the major scientific expeditions Spanish expeditions to America, Asia, and other territories. Some of the most important documentary collections and botanical collections come from these campaigns:
- Expedition to the New Kingdom of Granada (José Celestino Mutis): More than 7.600 botanical drawings of exceptional artistic and scientific value, accompanied by descriptions, diaries, maps, and nearly 20.000 herbarium sheets.
- Botanical Expedition to Peru (Ruiz y Pavón): It includes around 2.254 botanical drawings, copperplate engravings and numerous species previously unseen in Europe.
- Expedition to New Spain (Sessé and Mociño): He contributed nearly 120 drawings and documents fundamental to the history of American botany.
- Other expeditions and commissions: Such as the Guantanamo Commission, the Pacific Scientific Commission, expeditions to the Philippines, and funds from renowned landscape artists and botanists.
These campaigns not only expanded knowledge of the plant world, but also laid the foundations for the development of natural sciences in Spain and put the Royal Botanical Garden at the center of the international network of scientific exchange during the Enlightenment and subsequent centuries.
Restoration, conservation and current scientific work
The preservation of such an extensive heritage requires constant work of restoration and preventive conservationFrom monitoring the physical, chemical, and biological state of the collections, to preparing materials for exhibitions, to creating facsimiles and developing protection systems for fragile pieces.
The Botanical Garden participates in projects of Preventive conservation, digitization and dissemination of its collections, advising other institutions and promoting access to the collection through alternative means, such as the Digital Library. This ensures the availability of resources for researchers, dissemination to the general public, and the protection of the heritage for future generations.
The institution organizes thematic exhibitions, informational events, workshops, and educational activities for all audiences. Its cultural program also includes concerts, photography events, and guided tours, reinforcing its role as a vibrant space open to the public.
Visit the Garden and enjoy its collections
The space also features a specialty shop, a café with a terrace, rest areas, and facilities for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages. Guided tours allow visitors to discover the garden's hidden secrets and delve deeper into its role as a meeting place for science, history, and nature.
In addition, the garden is an enclave declared as UNESCO Landscape of Light, which highlights its universal value and its integration into world heritage.
