Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

A pleasant walk recommended

Access to the Botanical Garden

The Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is located in the Zorilor District, on Republicii street, number 42. You can find free parking spaces along the sloping street or on the adjacent streets. It has only one entrance / exit. It is open daily between 9 am and 7 pm. The entrance is through a wooden gate, carved in Maramures style.

About the Botanical Garden “Alexandru Borza”

The Botanical Garden has existed in Cluj-Napoca since the 19th century, but in a different location. If we strictly refer to the current garden, it is related to the name of Professor Kanitz and the establishment, also in the 19th century, of the Transylvanian Museum Society and the Franz Josef University. The “modern” period of the garden begins in 1919. Then Professor Alexandru Borza, whose name it bears, takes over the organization of the “new” garden. Its surface increases considerably. The new (current) Botanical Garden was inaugurated in 1925, which included roughly what it includes now. The Big Greenhouses appeared only in 1960. The Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is indisputably one of the most famous and appreciated botanical gardens in Romania. Today, it operates alongside the Babes Bolyai University and thus covers an important educational side.

Organization of the Botanical Garden

On the garden map we identify the following division into sectors: ornamental, phytogeographical, systematic, economic and that of the visually impaired. Some important subunits are: the botanical institute, the production greenhouses, the Chinese-Japanese garden, the large greenhouses, the water tower. At the time of our visit, all indoor spaces were closed due to covid restrictions, so we enjoyed walking outdoors on the garden paths.

The Japanese Garden and the Botanical Garden are within walking distance

The most sought-after place in the botanical garden is the Japanese Garden, which has a very small lake, a footpath and a building – the “tea house”. We liked it too, but it’s not really that wow. I think we did the complete round and visited the outer spaces. We also rested on a bench, took some pictures and walked again. There are also some busts (statues) in the garden and a clock. Regarding the flowers, I appreciated the rose area, the irises, but also the area where cacti are displayed (the ones outside). On the alleys I saw sizzling and cute squirrels. A walk in the shade of the park is pleasant, especially on hot summer days.

floral arrangement

Cleretum bellidiforme

Alexandru Borza

Cleretum bellidiforme

flower alley

cacti

the bridge

Japanese garden

squirrel

Conclusion

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

Read the Cluj-Napoca city guide and the article about the Zoological Museum.

All the best!

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