History
Sweden's oldest botanic garden
The Botanical Garden of Uppsala University is the oldest in Sweden. It was founded in 1655 by the polymath Olof Rudbeck the elder, Professor of Medicine. At that time the garden was located in central Uppsala, in the Svartbäcken district near the Fyrisån river (figure). In the garden the medical students could learn botany and study medicinal plants. By the end of the 17th century there were more than 1800 plant species in the garden, many grown for the first time in Sweden – for example the potato.
Olof Rudbeck’s botanic garden was badly damaged during the great Uppsala fire of 1702. As the university lacked resources to restore it, the garden entered a period of decline.
In 1741 Carl Linnaeus was appointed as Director of the, by then, dilapidated botanic garden. He transformed it into one of the foremost gardens in the world. Through his world-wide network of contacts he was able to bring in thousands of plant species. They were grown in a particular order determined by Linnaeus, according to his Sexual System or in ecological plantings. Today, Linnaeus’ botanic garden has been reconstructed according to his original plan from 1745. It is now called the Linnaeus Garden and is a living memorial to the great naturalist.
Hortus Upsaliensis according to the design of Olof Rudbeck the elder, as published in Atlantica 1675.
The garden by the River Fyris after Linnaeus
After the relocation of the Botanical Garden the old garden by the River Fyris were neglected and transformed into park land and potato-patches. The Orangery was reconstructed and used as club house for students at the University and the Director Musices moved into the directors lodge.
The old garden was in a state of neglect for more than 100 years, until 1917, when the Swedish Linnaeus Society was founded and began to reconstruct the Linnaeus´ garden. The restoration was possible thanks to Linnaeus´ detailed plant lists and garden maps. The old residence has been turned into a museum and houses the Swedish Linnaeus Society collection. The responsibility for the garden has been handed over to Uppsala University.
Some famous people from the history of the Linnaeus Garden
The Linnaeus Garden has had several prominent and famous directors: Olof Rudbeck the Elder, Carl Linnaeus and Carl Peter Thunberg. It has also benefited from the expertise of outstanding head gardeners.
Some famous people from the history of the Linnaean Gardens
The Linnaean Gardens have had several prominent and famous directors: Olof Rudbeck the Elder, Carl Linnaeus and Carl Peter Thunberg. We have also benefited from the expertise of many outstanding head gardeners.
The Linnaeus Museum - Linnaeus’ home and office
The Linnaeus Museum resides in the former residence of the Director of Uppsala University’s botanical garden, the present Linnaeus Garden. This is where Carl Linnaeus and his family lived during the latter half of the 18th century. The museum houses a collection of furniture, objects, and pantings that tell the story of Linnaeus’ life as a scientist and family man.
Home life and scientific achievements
At Linnaeus’ appointment as professor of medicine and botany 1741, the house was in such poor condition that he refused to move in with his young wife and baby son. The house, originally erected by Olof Rudbeck the younger in 1693 was, according to Linnaeus, “more like a robbers’ den or an owls’ nest” and was completely rebuilt before he could move in 1743. The house was a residence for university staff until 1935. The last person to live there was composer Hugo Alfvén.