- -Hortus Botanicus - A tradition
Amsterdam has one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world called Hortus Botanicus. It was established in 1638 by the city municipality as Hortus Medicus, an herb garden with medical plants for Amsterdam doctors and pharmacists. The reasons for establishing a specialized medical garden were very serious: at that time the cities of Leiden and Utrecht experienced the plague epidemic (1634-1637) with thousands of victims. Additionally, several monasteries moved out of the quickly growing city and there was not enough space in Amsterdam to plant herbs.In the second half of the 17th century, the Hortus Botanicus garden already established at its present address (since 1682), had a rich collection of plants completely unknown in Europe. They were brought here from all over the world by the traders of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Some the plants from the Hortus garden, as one single coffee plant, Coffea Arabica, or two small oil palms in pots brought to Hortus Botanicus, are seen today as the parents for the entire cultures of these plants which later expanded throughout the whole continents.
Hortus Botanicus today
Today, Hortus Botanicus is a big and attractive botanical garden, with more than 6 000 different plants. Some the plants are unique as 2000 years old agave cactus and a 300-year-old Eastern Kape giant cycad. The big new hothouse creates conditions for three different tropical climates. There is also Semicircle systematic garden, were plants are grown in a way to show the systematic relation between them and two suggested visiting routes through the Hortus – The Evolution Route and The Tree Route with 24 monumental trees to see. Hortus Botanicus has a beautiful café for it visitors, located in the recently renovated Orangery, with large outside terrace open to the garden.
Today, Hortus Botanicus is a big and attractive botanical garden, with more than 6 000 different plants. Some the plants are unique as 2000 years old agave cactus and a 300-year-old Eastern Kape giant cycad. The big new hothouse creates conditions for three different tropical climates. There is also Semicircle systematic garden, were plants are grown in a way to show the systematic relation between them and two suggested visiting routes through the Hortus – The Evolution Route and The Tree Route with 24 monumental trees to see. Hortus Botanicus has a beautiful café for it visitors, located in the recently renovated Orangery, with large outside terrace open to the garden.
The feelA quiet and relaxing place to visit on a warm afternoon. Beautiful plants, real peace around, lots of fresh air and not as many tourists as everywhere. All that within 5 minutes walk from a Rembrandts House and close to Artis – Amsterdam ZOO as well as the Resistance Museum. We advise you to take a deep breath at Hortus!
Address: Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam Plantage Middenlaan 2a
1018 DD Amsterdam
Telephone: +31 20 625 90 21
Fax: +31 20 625 70 06
e-mail info@dehortus.nl
1018 DD Amsterdam
Telephone: +31 20 625 90 21
Fax: +31 20 625 70 06
e-mail info@dehortus.nl
Open: every day throughout the year, except January 1st and December 25th (Christmas).
Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the Hortus.
Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the Hortus.
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August) Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August) Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August)
The Hortus is closing at 4 p.m. during the months of December and January.
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August) Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August) Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 p.m. in July and August)
The Hortus is closing at 4 p.m. during the months of December and January.
Admission: adults - € 6 (Sunday afternoon € 7,-); children (age 5-14) - €3,00; surcharge for drawing in the garden - € 1,-, Hortus day ticket - € 15,- (including lunch meal). Groups (min. 20 persons and only on appointment): - € 4,00 per visitor.
Guided tours (groups, by appointment only): at an additional cost of €15,- per group; on Sunday afternoon € 1,- surcharge per person. A group must have more than 20 persons.
Facilities: an interesting museum shop selling bulbs, plants and seeds as well as books about plants and toys (open during the garden's opening hours, also to non-visitors). Other Hortus facilities include café with foyer space and assembly room. Inquire for the rental possibilities.
Accessibility: Fairly well accessible for handicapped on a wheelchair. For visitors with mobility difficulties a wheelchair is available at the Hortus.
Accessibility: Fairly well accessible for handicapped on a wheelchair. For visitors with mobility difficulties a wheelchair is available at the Hortus.
How to get there
With public transport:
tram 9 and 14, step out on Mr. Visserplein stop.
tram 6 (only Monday -Friday): last stop.
metro from the Central Station: Waterlooplein stop (exit from the station direction: Hortusplantsoen).
With a car:
The following parking garages are near the Hortus: Waterlooplein, Muziektheater/Stadhuis (Music theater/City hall) and Markenhoven. Please note: visitors of the Hortus Botanicus receive a 10% discount on parking fees in theParking Waterlooplein (discount vouchers can be obtained at the entrance of the Hortus).
Walking:
from the Dam square – 15 minutes, from the Waterlooplein - ca. 5 minutes walk.
With public transport:
tram 9 and 14, step out on Mr. Visserplein stop.
tram 6 (only Monday -Friday): last stop.
metro from the Central Station: Waterlooplein stop (exit from the station direction: Hortusplantsoen).
With a car:
The following parking garages are near the Hortus: Waterlooplein, Muziektheater/Stadhuis (Music theater/City hall) and Markenhoven. Please note: visitors of the Hortus Botanicus receive a 10% discount on parking fees in theParking Waterlooplein (discount vouchers can be obtained at the entrance of the Hortus).
Walking:
from the Dam square – 15 minutes, from the Waterlooplein - ca. 5 minutes walk.
Homepage: www.dehortus.nl
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