The origins of the Botanic Garden of Parma date back to 1600.
Before the actual Garden there was already a Herbs Garden, founded by Ranuccio I Farnese. The current Botanic Garden was established in 1770 accordint to the will of the Abbot Gianbattista Guatteri, Professor of the Chair of Botany, with the favor of Ferdinand I of Bourbon. The Botanic Garden is located in the historic centre of the city, with an area of 11.000 square meters. The central part, close to the greenhouses, looks like an Italian garden, as it was in the 18th century project. The Arboretum was created between the 18th and 19th centuries. In the garden it is also cultivated the famous "Violetta di Parma", the favorite flower of the Duchess Maria Luigia.
