If you like plants, it is possible that an unavoidable appointment is to visit some botanical gardens. In Spain there are many worth knowing, but perhaps one that stands out above the others is the Marimurtra Botanical Garden, do you know him?
Next we want to tell you about it so that you know where it is, what you can find there, why it is so special and other practical information to encourage you to visit it.
What is the Marimurtra botanical garden
In case you don't know, the Marimurtra Botanical Garden is the best Mediterranean botanical garden in Europe. It is located in Blanes, Gerona, specifically in the region of La Selva. And it has been there since 1924, the date on which it began to be created and grow.
In total, there are 16 hectares of garden, and the most beautiful thing about it is that it is located in the mountains but has impressive views of the Mediterranean, which makes it one of the most beautiful in contrast to the plants. Above all because it sits on some cliffs that, although not all the beauty is appreciated, because it is not seen from the other side, in aerial photographs it is.
The origin of the name comes due to these two ecosystems, and it is that they tried to find a name that could unite them.
Available more than four thousand plant species, almost all of them exotic, and very striking both in design and in size, age, etc.
Who was the creator of the Marimurtra Botanical Garden
We are aware that the person who decided to create the Marimurtra Botanical Garden was Carl Faust, a German living in Catalonia and fond of nature. He was the one who, with his heritage, decided to create the garden where he grouped various species to enjoy them, and that others did too.
We know about Carl Faust that he was born in Hadamar, Germany and was an important businessman who arrived in Spain in 1897. In 1918, due to his love of nature, he bought the land in Blanes and, When he turned 50, he decided to quit his job and dedicate himself to creating the botanical garden.
It was not until 1951 that the Carl Faust Foundation was created, which currently manages the garden. And among its 'obligations' are increasing the plant collections, herbariums and library materials, maintaining the laboratories and meteorological observatory, setting up a botanical research center and contributing to disseminating knowledge.
What can we find in this botanical garden
As we have told you before, the Marimurtra Botanical Garden has more than four thousand species of plants. The objective is none other than to study them, teach them and investigate with them, but what really stands out and is seen is as a decoration.
Although the garden has 16 hectares, only five are open to the public. In these five, several sections are grouped that include different species (but similar to each other by groups). So, you have:
- Cactaceae and succulent plants. These come mainly from South Africa and Central America. You can find mostly cacti and succulents.
- Large subtropical plants. We are talking about palm trees, cycas, araucarias…
- Aquatic plants. Located in ponds that give an exotic and oriental touch to this place.
- Exotic plants. A group of them in a section where weather conditions are very careful.
- Medicinal plants. Those that are known that in their day, and even today, have served and serve to improve health.
- Aromatic plants. Known above all in the kitchen.
- Ferns. It is a special section where you will find a collection of these plants that are present in the mountains of Catalonia.
In addition, it highlights the fact that you will be able to see some free parrots that have settled in the garden and fly freely around the place. Of course, apart from parrots, there will be more birds and insects. So be careful if you are allergic to any.
You will also enjoy some architectural monuments. One of the best known is the Templet of Linne (which is accessed by the Epicur stairs), in a romantic style and located in the bay of the Costa Brava, sa Forcanera.
And, if you are lucky, you will be able to enjoy the Drosanthemum floribundum on those Epicurean stairs. And it is that, for 3 weeks a year, they dye the landscape pink and many tourists make their visit coincide with the flowering of this plant.
What else can you see in the Marimurtra Botanical Garden
Carl Faust was a man who not only wanted to create a garden to appreciate plant species, but also wanted to go further in botanical research and in disseminating knowledge. Because, apart from the botanical garden, there are also other facilities as they are:
- A herbarium.
- The specialized library. If you are looking for knowledge related to nature, it is one of the best places to find information.
- A greenhouse. For more delicate plants or those that need other conditions.
- Fields of experimentation and research laboratory. Since many of the species in the garden are used for experiments.
- Meteorological Station.
- Germoplasm Bank. Its name does not tell you much, but it is actually a seed bank in which species are preserved. In addition to seeds, it can also contain roots, tubers, etc. so as not to lose those species. To do this, they are stored at low temperatures.
Marimurtra Botanical Garden: schedule and price
If after what you have read you want to go to Girona and visit this botanical garden, then you need to know two things: the schedule and the price.
The Marimurtra Botanical Garden It is always open from Sunday to Friday from 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. On Saturdays, its hours are extended a little more, from 10 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.
As for the price, this is 7 euros. Of course, this price is increased by the issue of canons, photo sessions or photos for commercial use, where there may be an extra for it.
Finally, we would only have to leave you the address in case you want to visit it. It is at: Paseo de Carles Faust, 9. E-17300 Blanes (Catalonia)
Telephone: (+34) 972 33 08 26 – Fax (+34) 972 65 64 22
Have you ever visited the Marimurtra Botanical Garden? What do you think about it?