Garden & Museum

The Linnaeus Garden

Who was 18th century Swedish super-scientist Carl Linnaeus? What did he do that was so important and why should you visit his garden?

Linnaeus’ biological naming system (the binomial nomenclature) made sense of the system of naming animals and plants, so that (at least in Latin) scientists had a common reference name, for example for the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Otherwise they wouldn’t know what each other was talking about. Biologists, bird-watchers and gardeners all around the world have much to thank him for. This feat alone makes him a giant among scientists.

The Linnaeus Garden

The reconstructed gardens are here because Carl Linnaeus lived and worked in Uppsala where he was a professor of medicine at Uppsala University. The gardens are a copy of Uppsala University’s botanical garden as it would have looked during Linnaeus’ lifetime and have been restored according to his and Carl Hårleman’s design from 1745. All of the some 1,300 species in the garden are known to have been cultivated by the great man himself according to his own system and that makes it very special indeed.

Linnaeus taught students here, made scientific observations and a visit to the gardens brings you as close to the man as you’ll get. As well as strolling around the gardens pondering Linnaeus’ achievements, or just admiring how beautiful the place is, you can also visit Linnaeus’ former home and now museum. Don’t miss the unique monkey huts!

The gardens are situated at the same place as Uppsala University’s first botanical garden and have been restored according to his and Carl Hårleman’s design from 1745, the same design and look as during Linnaeus’ lifetime. The Linnaeus Garden is just a short walk from the city centre, and it’s open between May and September.

In the garden entrance you’ll find a café serving food, drinks and snacks. You can also bring home beautiful botanical themed souvenirs and local arts and craft from the shop by the entrance.

The Linnaeus Museum

Right next to the Linnaeus Garden, we find the Linnaeus Museum, located in a house that Linnaeus actually used as a residence. Here we get a unique chance to discover him as both a scientist and a private person. Preserved objects from his travels and time as a professor at Uppsala University are interspersed with his own insect cabinets, brandy glasses and clothing.

Explore Linnaeus’s Uppsala

Map & Contact

Opening hours:
May: Tuesday to Sunday 11–17
June–August: Tuesday to Sunday 11–17
September: Friday to Sunday 11-17

Entrance fee:
Adult: 120kr
Kids (0–17 years): Free of charge

Address:
Svartbäcksgatan 27
753 32 Uppsala

Phone: +46 18 471 28 38
E-mail: bokning@botan.uu.se
Web:
www.uu.se/linnetradgarden
www.uu.se/linnemuseet