Botanical Garden of Moscow State University in Moscow

Botanical Garden, or Pharmacy Garden at Moscow State University is the oldest botanical garden in Russia, a monument of the history of Moscow. This is the most well-groomed, most photogenic, most informative and cozy garden of the capital, as local staff say about their garden.

The history of the garden began in 1706, when Peter I issued a decree to set up a garden for growing medicinal herbs on the northern outskirts of Moscow. There were several such gardens in Moscow at that time. But none other than that survived. For a long time the garden was supervised by medical institutions. The garden was courted by experienced gardeners, there was a busy research life, including students-future doctors. By the 19th century, the garden became one of the centers of Russian science and became a Moscow landmark. The fire of 1812 destroyed almost everything.

In the middle of the 19th century, the garden underwent serious reconstruction. From a purely scientific institution, it was made an open place for citizens to rest. But the research activity did not stop there. By the end of the 19th century it was one of the centers of domestic botany, well known abroad.

But again, the devastating Soviet years had a negative impact on the garden. Only after the Second World War did the devastation end here and flowers bloom again. The former pharmacy garden remained the leading botanical institution in Moscow until the second large garden appeared in Ostankino. Now the garden at MSU is considered its branch and is still a favorite place of recreation of citizens.