Real Jardín Botánico Juan Carlos I

Real Jardín Botánico Juan Carlos I is the botanical garden of the University of Alcalá, spread across 26 hectares of the university's external campus in Alcalá de Henares. It was launched with the backing of the Royal House, and its early development was funded in part by the European Economic Community, which provided the investment needed to build greenhouses and plant nurseries.

How was the garden built?

Planning began in 1990 with the creation of the Garden's Technical Office, tasked with designing and executing the various projects that would make up the site. In 1991, regional development funds (FEDER) from the European Economic Community financed the construction of the nursery, which became the driving force behind the garden's growth. The nursery was completed in 1992, enabling a program of plant production and acclimatization. The garden itself was officially inaugurated in 1994, with further expansion planned over the following years. In March 1998, the Iberian Arboretum opened to the public as one of the site's key sections.

What can visitors see there?

Today, the Real Jardín Botánico Juan Carlos I functions as a living museum of plants, holding scientific collections of nearly eight thousand different species, organized by theme, documented, and catalogued. The grounds are divided into five main sections: a botanical school, an arboretum, a historic rose garden, special collections (crassulaceae and an orchidarium), and a regional flora park showcasing native plant species from the Madrid area.

What role does the garden play beyond tourism?

The garden belongs to the International Network of Botanical Gardens and pursues goals that go well beyond recreation, including scientific research, education, and conservation. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting the wild flora of the Madrid region, especially its most vulnerable species. The institution maintains a seed bank holding around 15,000 flora samples of different origins, representing nearly 5,900 species, stored under conditions designed to preserve germination viability for more than 100 years.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs the garden and where is it located? The garden belongs to the University of Alcalá and occupies 26 hectares on the university's external campus, in the city of Alcalá de Henares near Madrid.

When was the botanical garden created? The project was launched in 1991, construction work (including the nursery) was completed in 1992, and the garden officially opened in 1994. The Iberian Arboretum was made accessible to visitors in March 1998.

How many plant species can be found here? The garden's scientific collections include nearly eight thousand different plant species, organized across five thematic sections.

What does the garden do besides displaying plants? It carries out research into protecting the wild flora of the Madrid region and maintains a seed bank with samples of nearly 5,900 species, stored under conditions that ensure long-term germination viability.