The Greifswald Botanical Garden was established in its original form in 1763 by Samuel Gustav Wilke (1736-1790) as a medicinal plant garden between the college building (today: main university building) and city wall laid out. With increasing construction activity in the middle of the 19th century and the associated lack of space in the city center, the garden was moved to its current location on Münterstraße in 1886. Then as now, it is used by the university for academic teaching and by guests as a place to relax. Despite the relocation of the botanical garden, the new location did not offer enough space for a representative stock of trees. In 1934, a separate arboretum was founded on Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse.
Botanical Garden & Arboretum
The green oasis of Greifswald
outdoor area
The outdoor area around the greenhouses is divided into the areas Alpinum (rock garden), spice and medicinal plant garden, heath garden, cultivated plant garden, swamp and water garden. In the summer months, laurel, olive tree, myrtle and cork oak invite you to linger. Bring a picnic basket!
Historical Greenhouses
The heart of the botanical garden is formed by three historic greenhouses consisting of a tropical, palm and cycad house. As one of the few surviving steel constructions of its kind, the complex, built in 1886, was classified as a "monument of national importance" by the State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
After reconstruction work from 2014 to 2022, the greenhouses are open to visitors again.
More greenhouses
In addition to the historical complex, there are other greenhouses on the grounds of the botanical garden. Orchids and carnivorous plants are presented in the show house; the succulent house represents the inhabitants of deserts and semi-deserts; water lilies, papyrus, rice, sugar cane and passion flower are on display in the water plant house.
Arboretum
The Arboretum is located about three kilometers from the Botanical Garden. A 3,5 km long network of paths leads past rare species of wood from North and East Asia, South and North America, the Alps, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Orient. Local forest communities and special cultivated forms can also be viewed.
Opening hours
Greenhouses and Müterstrasse 2
January to December
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:45
Holidays, Sat & Sun from December to February 13:00 p.m. to 15:00 p.m
March, April, October, November 13:00 p.m. – 16:00 p.m
May - September. 13:00 p.m. – 18:00 p.m
Arboretum (Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse)
May until October
Mon-Sun 09:00 - 18:00
Closed November to April
Admission
Free
Guided Tours
Thematic tours of the botanical garden and the arboretum are offered on selected Sundays throughout the year.
Address
Botanical garden
Münterstrasse 2
Arboretum
Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahnstrasse
Header photo: Botanical Garden © University of Greifswald
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