Botanical Gardens
Comfort and leisure for all ages A true ecological sanctuary. This would be a fair definition of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, one of the ten most important in the world. Besides housing the rarest species of plants from the flora of Brazil and other countries, it is also an excellent leisure option for children and adults and a delight for those who wish to contemplate nature.


A stroll along the alleys of the park, where wild animals are part of the scenery, to the sound of resident birds such as “curiós” and “sabiás”, fascinates visitors. The exuberance of nature in its colors and variety of flora dazzles and creates images that will be kept in the memory and in the soul. Among the approximately 8200 specimens of the gardens’ live collection, the highlights are the imperial palm trees and threatened species such as “pau-brasil”, “acará amarelo” and “pau mulato”, the medicinal plots and the Japanese gardens, sensorial and rotary. The orchid house is a spectacle by itself. The three thousand specimens of 600 different species are moving for their rare beauty. In 1996 jeweler Antônio Bernardo adopted the collection and has been responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the plants. Other attractions are the approximately 1700 bromeliads of different formations, the violets, the greenhouse of insect-eating plants, which capture and digest insects, the cacti collection, considered to be one of the biggest in Brazil, and the collection of medicinal plants. The Gardens’ six lakes with their gorgeous species of “vitória régia”, lotus, papyrus and “ água-pé” are a must to visitors. Among them, Lago do Frei Leandro (Friar Leandro’s Lake) has been totally restored as a landscape project.


The herons, “bem-te-vis” and butterflies that fly around in the huge green area are a joy to the children. Closer to the earth, they have the privilege of getting to know the most varied species of plants and feel their different scents and textures. The big round fleshy leaves of the “vitória-régia”, for instance, call the kids’ attention and they learn to respect and love nature from an early age. The little ones can go around barefoot and play in the open-air playground specially dedicated to them, with a children’s bathroom, clean sand and a kiosk that offers a menu appropriate for children. While they enjoy themselves playing in the little wooden house, on the slide, see-saw and swing, the grown ups can have a snack at the luncheonette, and later go to the library or have a couple of delicious brownies in the cafeteria. An absolutely comfortable and safe program not to be missed.


In perfect harmony with the park, a rich historical and cultural heritage marks its presence in the Gardens. Historical buildings and monuments dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries tell a little of the history of the region. There can be found the old Fábrica de Pólvora (Gunpowder Factory) built by D. João VI, the Casa dos Pilões (Pestles House), the Casa dos Cedros (Cedars House), the old portal of the Fine Arts Academy and the Empress’ Mansion. In 2001 the latter, after being restored, became the headquarters of the National School of Tropical Botany – the first of its kind in Latin America.


Founded on 13 June 1808 by D. João VI, prince regent at the time, the Botanical Gardens were created for the acclimatization of spices brought from the East Indies. The first plants to arrive came from the garden La Plampemousse on the Mauritius Islands and were offered to D. João by Luiz de Abreu Vieira e Silva. Among them was Palma Mater, one of the oldest imperial palm trees of the Gardens.


Along the two centuries of existence, the Gardens have been given the names of Real Horto, Real Jardim Botãnico, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro and, in 1996 they have become the Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro Research Insitute). They have come under the protection of the Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (National Historical and Artistic Heritage) – IPHAN - for their historical, cultural, scientific importance and for the design of their landscape. They have also been recognized internationally as a Living Museum in the area of Botany and defined by UNESCO as one of the reserves of biosphere. For 194 years the Gradens have been an example of continuity in relation to their mission of botanic research and conservation of collections.