The garden is built on 'zur Katz,' one of the few surviving bastions of the 17th-century fortifications of Zürich.
The palm house was designed by architect Otto March and is considered a prime example of cast-iron architecture in Switzerland.
The Gessner-Garten within the facility is dedicated to Conrad Gessner, a famous 16th-century Zürich naturalist.
The garden hosts an ancient 'Ginkgo biloba' tree, which is among the oldest of its kind in the region.
The site was replaced as the primary university botanical garden in 1977 when the new facility was built at Zollikerstrasse.
The Old Botanical Garden (Alter Botanischer Garten) in Zürich is defined by its historic octagonal palm house, constructed in 1851. It is the site of the city's first botanical garden, established by the University of Zürich. The garden is situated on the Schanzengraben, a historic fortification moat. It houses a diverse collection of medicinal and ornamental plants, including an arboretum. The park features elevated terraced paths known as the 'Gessner-Garten,' which mimics medieval monastery gardens. The palm house is now utilized for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. Despite its central location near the business district, the garden remains a secluded green space. The site retains its 19th-century layout, including a small pond and mature specimen trees.
From the base of the bastion, looking upward at the octagonal palm house framed by the garden's mature trees.
Walk up to the elevated bastion walls for an overlook of the garden and the moat.
Bring a book, as the seating areas are specifically designed for quiet reading.
Check the University of Zürich website before visiting to see if the palm house is hosting a temporary public art installation.
Do not mistake this for the current University of Zürich Botanical Garden located on Zollikerstrasse, which is a different, much larger facility.
The outdoor grounds are generally accessible daily, but the interior of the palm house is only open during specific exhibition periods.
Maintain a quiet tone to respect the garden's role as a retreat; picking plants is strictly prohibited.
