Brera Botanical Garden
The Secret Garden
The Brera Botanical Garden is a romantic green oasis in the center of Milan, located in the complex of the celebrated Brera Palace. It has a centuries-old history: since the 14th century it was a place for meditation and cultivation by the order of the Humiliati of Brera and from the 16th century on for the Jesuits.
In 1774-1775 it was established as the Brera Botanical Garden by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, thus initiating the scientific and higher education function which today turned two and a half centuries of history!
In 1935 it was annexed to the University of Milan, which still manages it today and made it a recognized museum with over 290.000 entrances every year. Since 2023 it has also associated the Herbarium Universitatis Mediolanensis, which has a rich heritage of historical herbaria, botanical tables, xylotheques, …
A view of the Brera Botanical Garden of the University of Milan, with part of the flowerbeds and one of the two historical elliptical ponds. The background shows the historical Brera Palace
Vista dell’Orto Botanico di Brera dell’Università degli Studi di Milano, con alcune aiuole e una delle due storiche vasche ellittiche. Sullo sfondo il Palazzo di Brera.
The Brera Botanical Garden reveals to the visitor its character as a historic garden with the peculiar 18th-century layout resurfaced thanks to the conservative restoration completed in 2001 and defined by a linear and dense system of long and narrow flowerbeds, two suggestives elliptical ponds and an arboretum, redeveloped in 2018-2019.
Digitalis purpurea, a plant of health, at the Brera Botanical Garden of the University of Milan
In the flowerbeds numerous medicinal species are kept, today as in the past; others are dedicated to topics of prominent human interest (food plants, textiles, dyeing plants) or to particular environments (e.g. Mediterranean, arid or humid environment, undergrowth plants) whose location is due to the microclimate of different garden areas.
There is no shortage of rare species or others to be preserved for the protection of biodiversity, in particular of indigenous Lombardy plants. Prominent among the large trees are the patriarchs, two Ginkgo biloba over two and a half centuries old, garden symbol, and the majestic Caucasian walnut, recently recognized as monumental trees.
The Botanical Garden is an open-air living museum, which offers the public a shape in constant evolution and a rich program of educational activities and events.
Welcome to the Botanical Gardens of the University of Milan – Conservation – Education – Research –
Our mission
The Botanical Garden of Brera Museum provides a unique experience to discover the beauty of the world of plants in the centre of Milan. We seek to create awareness for the central role plants play in our society and for our ecosystems.
Our vision
The Botanical Garden of Brera intends to let its visitors experience the world of plant sciences. Discoveries of the past and research in the future to understand how plants function, how we can reach a sustainable use of plants for our needs and to preserve biodiversity.
The team
Martin Kater (president), Antonella Testa (director), Cristina Puricelli (curator and coordinator of educational activities), Paola Caccia (gardener and cooordinator of events), Isabelle Bovier (reception), Antonietta Volpicelli (administrative office), Beatrice Marchesini (garden technician), Manuel Bellarosa (head gardener), Enrico Fantella (gardener), Andrea Stucchi (gardener)
Brera Botanical Garden is part of
is member of
