About this place
Marimurtra Botanical Garden is one of the most important botanical gardens in Europe, perched on a rocky cliff above the Mediterranean Sea in Blanes, on the Costa Brava. It covers roughly 16 hectares and holds over 4,000 plant species brought from nearly every continent, from succulents to tropical trees, arranged in terraces so that almost every path offers a view of the sea.
Who created the garden?
Marimurtra was the creation of Carl Faust, a German businessman born in 1874 in Hadamar, near Frankfurt am Main. He settled in Catalonia in 1897 and, together with a partner, founded the company Faust & Kaufmann in Barcelona, which still exists today. Although drawn to natural sciences from an early age, his family pushed him toward business instead. It was only after turning 50, in 1924, that Faust stepped back from his managerial role in the company and devoted himself fully to building the garden, investing practically his entire fortune in the project.
Where does the name Marimurtra come from?
The name combines two Catalan words: "mar" (sea) and "murtra" (myrtle), a shrub common along this coastline. It reflects the idea that guided Faust from the start — blending Mediterranean vegetation with an open sea view, a combination that sets this garden apart from most others in Europe.
What role does the garden serve today?
Marimurtra was never meant to be just a tourist attraction — it had a scientific purpose from the beginning. Faust made sure of that during his lifetime: in 1951, through a notarial deed, a foundation bearing his name was established in Blanes, tasked with maintaining the garden and continuing the research carried out there. Today the garden functions as a research and educational center studying Mediterranean flora alongside plants from other climate zones, while remaining open to visitors.
What can visitors see when touring Marimurtra?
The garden's layout follows the natural shape of the cliff, with paths descending in terraces toward the sea through collections of cacti and succulents, a palm house, sections dedicated to Australian and American plants, and viewpoints overlooking the bay of Blanes and the Costa Brava coastline. The garden's architecture, including its classicist decorative elements and terraces, was designed to blend harmoniously with the landscape rather than dominate it.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the garden located? In Blanes, on the Costa Brava coast in Catalonia, on a cliff above the Mediterranean Sea.
Who founded the garden and when? German businessman Carl Faust, in 1924.
How many plant species can be seen here? Over 4,000 species from various climate zones around the world.
Does the garden have a scientific role? Yes, since 1951 it has been run by a foundation that conducts botanical research, combining a scientific mission with its role as a visitor attraction.
Where does the name Marimurtra come from? From the Catalan words for sea and myrtle, a plant typical of this coastline.
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