Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens


The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens are located on the campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.  Plans for the gardens began in 1931, when  Alexander Elg, chairman of the Botany Department at the university decided to create gardens featuring plants native to the area.
 

The gardens were opened to the public in 1985, and they've expanded to include flora and fauna from all over the world.  The gardens feature sections of Australian plants, Mediterranean plants, African, and European plants.  There's also a Bonsai Japanese garden.  In addition, there's a tropical house, an herb garden, and a Bible patch, featuring 70 species of plants mentioned in the Bible.

If you visit, be sure to see the 2000 year old burial cave located on the grounds that were discovered in 1902.  The cave has the inscription, "Bones of Nicanor of Alexandria."

 The gardens are open daily from 7:00 AM to sunset.  Admission is 20 ILS for children, and 35 ILS for adults.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry - fascinating to be able to see the ossuary too - but I bet the gardens are fascinating ... cheers Hilary

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    1. It's unusual to see this garden in the middle of the city. Not what you'd expect.

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  2. Jerusalem is on my bucket list - so much history and I've always admired the Hebrews/Jews - strong folks with convictions.

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    1. It was a fascinating trip there. I actually preferred the northern area of Israel - around the Sea of Galilee. It's pretty there - more green. Jerusalem was more brown and touristy.

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