Moscow State University Apothecary Garden ("Aptekarsky ogorod")
Institution Code:
BGCI Member: Yes
About the Moscow State University Apothecary Garden ("Aptekarsky ogorod")
The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University (known as the "Apothecary Garden", or “Aptekarsky ogorod”) is a part of Moscow’s historical and cultural heritage, and is the oldest botanical garden in Russia. Founded in 1706 by decree of Peter the Great, it originally belonged to the Aptekarsky Order, then to the Moscow hospital, and later, in the 18th century, to the Medico-Surgical Academy. In 1805, the former garden was purchased by Moscow University, which still owns it today. In 1953, it became a branch of the Agrobiological Garden, which was created as part of the new Moscow State University complex on Sparrow (Lenin) Hills, and in the late 20th century its historical name – Apothecary Garden – was restored.
Many famous scientists invited from Europe worked in the Garden, including Traugott Gerber, who was the first to study the flora of Russia in the 18th century, and Georg Franz Hoffmann in the early 19th century. In 1805, the garden was given the status of botanical garden of Moscow University and Hoffmann became its first director. It was during this period that the first catalogue of plants was compiled and construction of the hothouses began. By the end of the 19th century, the garden had become a centre of Russian botany and was well known abroad. Amongst the famous scientists who worked here after Hoffmann were I.D.Chistyakov, N.N.Kaufman, I.N.Gorozhankin and K.I. Meyer. They and their students not only compiled wonderful collections of plants from Russian and global flora, but also created the Russian school of botany.
The last 2 decades have been a time of reconstruction and renewal – reconstruction of the hothouses and reorganization of the garden itself, and renewal of all its activities, including the creation of new displays, education, outreach and exhibitions.
The hothouse complex currently includes: the Palm Hothouse with tropical plants and 4 sections for maintaining tropical plant collections (Bromelia-Filicinae and 2 orchid sections); the Succulent Hothouse; the Subtropical Hothouse; the Aquatic Plants Hothouse; and a hothouse for changing displays and exhibitions. The collection includes historical specimens which are 100 years old or more. In the arboretum, where a collection of lianas, trees, shrubs and herbs has been created, a number of new displays have recently been laid out, including Flora of The Central Belt of Russia, a Medicinal Plant Garden, a Shade Garden, Heather Hill and Conifer Hills. It also features plants of the natural flora of the Northern Hemisphere, with rare and protected species from Russia and the Moscow Region. The arboretum also contains areas of decorative plants.
The garden’s collections include many plant species on the IUCN list.
Main Address:
Moscow State University Apothecary Garden ("Aptekarsky ogorod")
Prospect Mira, 26, Building 1
Moscow
129090 Russian Federation
Telephone: (495) 680-7222
Fax: (495) 680-7222
URL: www.hortus.ru
Primary Email: hortus@mail.ru