Oude Hortus
Historic botanical garden of Utrecht University from the 18th century with old greenhouses, an orangery and a ginkgo roughly 250 years old.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Utrecht Hortus dates back to 1639: three years after the founding of the university, the city council decided to lay out a herb garden ("hortus medicus") on the Sonnenborgh bastion for the teaching of medical students. The first director was Henricus Regius, who published the first garden catalogue with 678 species and varieties in 1650.
In 1723 the garden moved to a larger plot between the Nieuwegracht and the Lange Nieuwstraat, where it still lies today. The botanist Joseph Serrurier designed it, Carl von Linné visited the garden in 1735, and two orangeries for overwintering tropical plants were built in 1724 and 1768. The ginkgo, which is among the oldest in Europe, also dates from the 18th century.
After 1920 the garden lost its role as the university's plant collection to the Cantonspark in Baarn, and in the 1960s botany largely moved to the Uithof; the Botanic Gardens later returned as a separate site at Fort Hoofddijk. In 1991 the grounds on the Lange Nieuwstraat were threatened with disappearing for good, until the foundation Vrienden van de Oude Hortus took over care and design. In 1996 the Universiteitsmuseum moved into the former botanical laboratory, some buildings were demolished and the garden grew again into a museum garden. Today it includes historic greenhouses, the orangery and a herb garden.
Highlights
- Ginkgo biloba roughly 250 years old
- Water plant house with Victoria amazonica and lotus
- Historic greenhouses and orangery
- Persimmon tree, giant sequoia and peanut butter tree
- Family adventure "Expeditie Hortus"
- Founded
- 1639
- Operated by
- Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht (Universiteit Utrecht)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 3 · Admission to the garden from age 4; children up to and including age 3 free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · One companion has free admission. |
| Groups | –Group tours in the garden by registration. |
| Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht including Oude Hortus (adults) | €15.50Children 4–17 years €8; family ticket €45; the garden is included in the museum ticket. |
Free access to the garden with the UMU museum ticket. Free with Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart, U-pas, friends' cards and other passes. Plants may not be taken away.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main paths are suitable for wheelchairs, smaller paths are not. The historic greenhouses have thresholds, with ramps where possible. Assistance dogs are allowed, other dogs are not.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
For families there is the interactive adventure "Expeditie Hortus".
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Universiteitsmuseum
From Utrecht Centraal station take bus 2 (platform A2, about a 10-minute ride) to the Universiteitsmuseum stop; or take the train to Vaartsche Rijn station (about a 10-minute walk).
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No car park of its own. P+R facilities, the Vaartsche Rijn car park (12-minute walk) or limited street parking on the Lange Nieuwstraat and Nieuwegracht.
About a 20-minute walk from the main station. With a European disabled parking card, free parking is possible in designated spaces.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The UMU museum café and museum shop can be visited during opening hours.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies: not available
The orangery and other UMU rooms can be rented; weddings are not possible. Enquiries via reserveren.umu@uu.nl.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Introductory tours through the garden as well as group tours (Hortusrondleiding). Tickets can be bought online but this is not mandatory. |
