History

The Botanic Garden of the University of Ferrara was established in 1771. The University of Ferrara has been working since 1391 and in a short time it became one of the most renowned cultural institutions in Italy. During the Renaissance the Este promoted all kinds of studies, including botanic, then included in the medical sciences.

This encouraged an influx to Ferrara of scientists and botanists, among which Berengario da Carpi, Leoniceno and Manardo should be remembered. Antonio Musa Brasavola, Gabriele Fallopio and Gian Battista Canani, eminent doctors and botanists, had great importance too. Certainly in 16th and 17th centuries there were in Ferrara places for growing medicinal plants, but today no historical document about the establishment of ancient “gardens of simples” remains.

In 1771 the reforms of Popes Clemente XIV and Pio VI implemented the establishment of Botanic Garden. Originally it was placed in Paradiso Street (formerly Inferno Street) close to Paradiso Palace, site of the University. In 1772 Francesco Maria Giacomini published a list of 2800 plants including indigenous and exotic species.

During the direction of Prof. Carlo Massalongo (1878–1919) Botanic Garden was transferred to Scandiana Street on a unfit ground for plants. In 1925 the Botanic Garden came back into the original site and remained there until 1963 when it was transferred to the present location: the sixteenth century Turchi–Di Bagno Palace.