The botanical gardens are located close to Karlsruhe Palace. Secluded from the noise of the street and the hustle and bustle of the palace gardens, this place offers historic buildings and unusual plants – a charming and exotic refuge.
Plants from around the world, at home in Karlsruhe.
Next to the orangery and the Federal Constitutional Court building, the botanical gardens established by the Grand Dukes of Baden remain a green treasure. Native and exotic groves, potted trees, flowers and herbs share this cozy space. The conservatories hold amazing cacti and succulents, orchids and tropical greenery: a botanical collection with plants from every continent.
The margrave was famous for his tulip collection.
The Karlsruhe court had a special appreciation for garden design and botany. Even Margrave Karl Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach, who founded the palace and city in 1715, was a plant enthusiast. He was famous for his tulip collection. Karoline Luise, wife to his successor, Karl Friedrich, spent great sums importing plants previously unseen in Baden. In so doing, she created the foundation for the botanical gardens. In 1808, Grand Duke Karl Friedrich had the gardens erected at their current location.
Karlsruhe Botanical Gardens from above.
Two of Baden's most important architects were responsible for the design of the botanical gardens. Friedrich Weinbrenner designed the first master plan for the land and the conservatories. His successor, Baden's senior architect, Heinrich Hübsch, redesigned the gardens in the 1850s. The orangery, conservatories and gatehouse were built following his plans.
