Civic Botanical Garden of Trieste

The story begins in 1828, when Bartolomeo Biasoletto, a local pharmacist and chemistry enthusiast, launched experiments to test the growth of the Austrian Black Pine on the harsh Carso plateau. This scientific curiosity provided the foundation for what would become an official botanical garden in 1842. Under the guidance of the municipality, the site was established to catalogue and preserve the diverse flora of the Venezia Giulia region, creating an enduring link between the city and its natural surroundings. In 1861, Muzio Tommasini took charge, bringing a new era of scientific rigour to the grounds. A distinguished figure in the political and intellectual circles of Trieste, Tommasini filled the garden with regional plants, creating a haven for research and study. He surrounded himself with notable peers, including Carlo Marchesetti, who later ensured the institution gained formal recognition and stability at the turn of the twentieth century. The garden faced a difficult period during the late twentieth century, ultimately closing in 1986 due to funding shortages. However, the legacy of its founders proved too resilient to fade away. Extensive renovation efforts began in 1991, leading to a public reopening in 2001. Today, the garden thrives as a green sanctuary, continuing its mission through the annual publication of the Index Seminum, a tradition that dates back to the nineteenth century, and by managing the nearby Bosco Biasoletto nature reserve.