The park was originally established under the supervision of the botanist Joseph Gaertner.
It contains a collection of approximately 1,000 different plant species from across the globe.
The garden served as a medicinal plant source for the university's medical faculty for over a century.
Several trees in the park are over 150 years old and are protected as natural monuments.
The 'Platanenallee' nearby was influenced by the early landscaping efforts within the city's green belt.
The original botanical greenhouses were demolished after the garden moved, leaving only the structural layout of the grounds.
The Alter Botanischer Garten in Tübingen is a historic park established in 1809 on the site of the former city fortifications. It served as the university's primary botanical garden until the late 1960s when the botanical collection relocated to the Morgenstelle campus. The park is characterized by its significant collection of mature, exotic tree species, including giant sequoias and ginkgo trees. It retains its 19th-century layout with winding pathways and a central pond feature. The site is a protected cultural monument due to its botanical and historical significance. It now functions as a public green space managed by the University of Tübingen. Various commemorative plaques and small monuments are dispersed throughout the grounds, honoring prominent university scholars and botanists.
The bench overlooking the central pond with the historic gatehouse in the background.
Walk the perimeter to view the remnants of the old city defensive walls integrated into the park boundary.
Visit during late spring to see the diverse range of flowering trees in bloom.
Bring a book, as the park provides numerous shaded benches ideal for quiet reading.
Do not mistake this for the current, larger botanical garden (Botanischer Garten der Universität Tübingen) located at the Morgenstelle campus.
Maintain noise levels respectful of students and researchers; do not pick plants or flowers.
