The Giardino della Minerva unfolds along the procession of gardens stretching from the Villa Comunale up towards the Medieval Castle. Located exactly halfway along this scenic path, the Giardino della Minerva stands out for its remarkable historical and artistic significance. Thanks to a careful restoration completed in September 2000, visitors can now admire a fascinating array of 18th-century features. Most striking is the long staircase, lined with cruciform pillars and stucco decorations, supporting a lush pergola.
The water distribution system, with pools and fountains—one for each terrace—adorned with calcite deposits, hints at abundant water sources that have been ingeniously channeled over the centuries. This system, besides serving various needs, has made it possible to keep the terraced plots lush and cultivated. The garden is blessed with a unique microclimate, protected from cold northern winds and enjoying excellent sun exposure, which still allows for the thriving of plant species that require humidity and warmth. Since the 12th century, these grounds belonged to the Silvatico family, whose member Matteo—between the 13th and 14th centuries—became a renowned physician of the Salerno School and a leading expert in using plants for medicinal purposes.
He authored the Opus pandectarum medicinae, a precious compendium of herbal knowledge about the plant parts used to make medicines. Careful research into historical sources has clearly shown the existence of a medicinal herb garden in medieval Salerno, founded in the early 1300s by the physician and botanist Matteo Silvatico to help the Medical School masters in their teaching.
Today, this extraordinary cultural site is identified with the modern Giardino della Minerva, where medicinal plants were cultivated for their active ingredients—essential for therapeutic use. The garden also served as a teaching space, showing students of the Schola Medica Salernitana the living specimens, labeled with names and properties (ostensio simplicium). These roots make this garden—located on the original site of the Schola Medica Salernitana’s hortus sanitatis—the oldest known botanical garden tied to a medical school.
Giardino della Minerva Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday
Monday: weekly closure for maintenance.
Note: After gate closing time, you may visit the garden for another thirty minutes.
January
9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
February
9:30 am to 1:00 pm.
March
9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
April
9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
May
9:30 am to 7:30 pm.
June, July, August
9:30 am to 8:00 pm.
September
9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
October
9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
November, December
9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Giardino della Minerva Admission Fees
€3.00 (full price)
REDUCED (€1.50): School groups of all types and levels (free for group leaders); University students (with valid student ID). Annual pass €15.00.
Note: Free admission for group leaders and for children under six.
For group visits (reservation required) please contact the Garden Office (tel. 089252423 – info@giardinodellaminerva.it)
Practical Information about the Giardino della Minerva Botanical Garden
Via Ferrante Sanseverino, 1
84121 Salerno
Phone: 089 252423
Email: info@giardinodellaminerva.it
