Tartu Ülikooli botaanikaaed

About the museum

The Tartu University Botanic Garden has operated at the same site without interruption for 220 years. The outdoor collections are divided into eleven gardens, which were laid out under the direction of the world-famous botanists, professors Ledebour and Bunge. The garden serves science and teaching as well as walking, and is a green oasis in the city centre for the people of Tartu.

Over its history the greenhouse has helped in teaching tropical and near-tropical plants, and it is also an exotic place of leisure for the people of Tartu and their guests. It is divided into four parts with different climates: the palm house, a hot and humid tropical house, a near-tropical house, and a drier desert-plant section above the visitor centre. The greenhouses have more than 700 square metres of growing space, and the flora of tropical America is particularly richly represented. Turtles, fish, parrots and giant weta also live there.

The botanic garden grows more than 11,000 taxa and cultivars of plants. More than one hundred thousand people visit the garden every year. In the modern sense, a botanic garden is a scientific collection of living plants that is open to the public and engaged in species conservation, so the garden also looks after and researches the genetic resources of plant species and varieties. Several plants protected under nature conservation in Estonia are represented in the outdoor collections. The garden belongs to the Tartu University Natural History Museum and Botanic Garden unit.

Highlights

• Greenhouse in four climate zones: palm house, tropical house, near-tropical house and desert plants
• More than 700 m² of growing space with exotic plants
• Outdoor collections made up of eleven gardens
• Turtles, fish, parrots and giant weta in the greenhouse
• More than 11,000 taxa and cultivars of plants
• The outdoor area is free of charge and open every day

Permanent exhibitions

• Botaanikaaia kasvuhoone – In the four climate sections of the greenhouse grow plants of tropical and near-tropical regions as well as desert plants; turtles, fish and parrots also live there.
• Avamaakollektsioonid – A free-to-visit collection of eleven gardens, where mainly temperate-zone plants and several species protected under nature conservation grow.

Founded

1803

Operated by

Tartu Ülikool

Admission & discounts

A ticket is needed for the greenhouse; the outdoor collections are free. Free admission on presentation of a certificate also applies to teachers accompanying a pupil group, employees of Estonian museums and botanic gardens, members of ICOM and the Estonian Museums Association, repressed persons, press representatives, citizens of Ukraine, and employees and students of the University of Tartu. The museum card is valid.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair users can enter the botanic garden area from Vabaduse Avenue through the gate on the Emajõgi side. A ramp leads into the building, and the greenhouses are reached by lift. The accessible toilet is at the back of the palm house, entered from the yard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Pushchairs can enter the garden through the gate on the Emajõgi side of Vabaduse Avenue. Children's programmes are offered, for example “Ananass ja Kollane Kass” (Pineapple and the Yellow Cat) in cooperation with Vanemuine Theatre, and the Christmas programme “Sooja troopikasse” (To the Warm Tropics). The museum also organises children's birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

By bicycle the botanic garden can be reached from Vabaduse Avenue (the gate on the Emajõgi side); there is a small bicycle parking area in the garden.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit