Botanical Garden of University of Bern

The Botanical Garden of the University of Bern features a series of glass greenhouses that dome over a steep hillside sloping down toward the Aare River. Established in eighteen sixty-seven, the garden preserves rare alpine flora alongside exotic species from around the world. Ludwig Fischer, the first director, designed the original layout to serve as an outdoor laboratory for students. He once argued with city officials for months to secure this specific riverbank, insisting the unique microclimate was essential for his specimens.