at a glance

the most prominent feature of this neighborhood - the jardim botânico itself, was created in 1808 alongside the gun powder factory, by then prince regent of brazil and portugal, dom joão vi, to house and acclimatize the plant species that had been brought to brazil, from europe, and the spices that came from the east indies. it was initially known as 'horto real' ('royal garden').

it was in 1822, the year of brazilian independence, that the gardens were opened up to the public, by dom joão vi's son, dom pedro i. the garden continued to be a central hub of the region's plant life, and then, in 1937, a significant moment for the site, as it was listed as part of the brazilian historical heritage, giving it a real sense of cultural importance.

following this, due to its historical and scientific significance, unesco defined the jardim botânico as a biosphere reserve area, in 1992. today the garden plays a prominent role in the study of flora and fauna, and the conservation of the species, as well as housing some of the rarest plants in the country.