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Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

A pleasant walk recommended

Botanical Garden access

Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is located in Zorilor neighborhood, on Republicii street, number 42. Along the sloping street or in the adjacent alleys you can find free parking. It has only one entrance/exit. It is open daily from 9 am to 19 pm. The entrance is through a wooden gate, carved in the Maramuresan style.

About Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden has existed in Cluj-Napoca since the 19th century, but in a different location. If we refer strictly to the present garden, it is connected with the name of Professor Kanitz and with the founding, also in the 19th century, of the Society of the Ardean Museum and the Franz Josef University. The garden's "modern" period began in 1919. Then Professor Alexandru Borza, whose name it bears, takes over the organization of the "new" garden. Its surface area increases considerably. The new (current) Botanical Garden was inaugurated in 1925, which included more or less what it does now. The Great Greenhouses appeared only in 1960. Gradina Botanica in Cluj-Napoca is indisputably one of the most famous and appreciated botanical gardens in Romania. Today, it operates next to the Babes Bolyai University and thus covers an important educational side.

Organization of the Botanical Garden

On the map of the garden we identify the following subdivision by sectors: ornamental, phytogeographic, systematic, economic and for the visually impaired. Some important sub-units are: the botanical institute, the production greenhouses, the Chinese-Japanese garden, the large greenhouses, the water tower. At the time of our visit all the indoor spaces were closed due to covid restrictions, so we enjoyed walking in the open air in the garden alleys.

Japanese Garden and Botanical Garden at a walking pace

The most popular place in the botanical garden is Japanese Garden, which has a very small lake, a bridge and a constrcution - the "tearoom". We liked it too, but it's not that wow. We did I think the full round and visited the outdoor spaces. We also rested on a bench, took a few pictures and wandered around again. There are also some busts (statues) in the garden and a clock.

In terms of flowers, I appreciated the area of roses, irises, but also the area where the cacti are displayed (the outdoor ones). In the alleyways we saw cute little squirrels. A walk in the shade of the park is pleasant especially on hot summer days.

floral arrangement

dorotheanthus bellidiformis

Alexandru Borza

dorotheanthus bellidiformis

flower alley

cacti

bridge

Japanese Garden

squirrel

Conclusion

Yes, Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is beautiful and worth a visit. The point is that over the years I have visited it and came with higher expectations for this visit. Maybe with the opening of the interior spaces, especially the greenhouses and the water tower, a visit to the Botanical Garden in Cluj will gain more "content".

Read the guide Cluj-Napoca and the article about Zoological Museum or Central Park.

All the best!

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