# Botanical Garden of Moscow State University

> research institute, botanical garden, tourist attraction, protected area of Russia, architectural landmark in Ramenki District, Russia

**Wikidata**: [Q4095119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4095119)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/botanical-garden-of-moscow-state-university

## Summary

The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University (Ботанический сад МГУ) is a research institute and botanical garden located in the Ramenki District of Moscow, Russia, serving as both a scientific institution and tourist attraction. Founded initially in 1785 and re-established at its current location in 1950, it functions as a protected area of Russia and is recognized as a regional cultural heritage site. The garden displays a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names and replaced the historic Aptekarsky Ogorod as Moscow University's primary botanical collection.

## Key Facts

- **Official names**: Ботанический сад МГУ, Ботанический сад биологического факультета Московского государственного университета имени М. В. Ломоносова
- **Inception dates**: 1785 (original founding), 1950-10-06 (current location established)
- **Coordinates**: 55.7075° N, 37.527222222222° E (location fixed in 1950)
- **Address**: Mokhovaya Street (1785–1812), later relocated to Ramenki District
- **Country**: Russia (current), formerly Soviet Union (1922–1991), Russian Empire (1721–1917)
- **District**: Ramenki District, Moscow
- **Predecessor**: Aptekarsky Ogorod (founded 1706), which it replaced
- **Instance of**: botanical garden, research institute, tourist attraction, protected area of Russia, architectural landmark
- **Heritage status**: Regional cultural heritage site of Russia (designated by Moscow Government Decree No. 89 dated 09.02.1999)
- **BGCI Garden ID**: 180
- **Wiki Loves Monuments ID**: RU-7731069000
- **Kulturnoe nasledie.ru ID**: 7731069000
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/120jxr9r
- **Wikipedia languages**: Bashkir (ba), Commons, Latin (la), Russian (ru)
- **Commons category**: Botanical Garden of Moscow State University

## FAQs

**When was the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University founded?**

The garden has two founding dates: 1785 marks its original establishment, while 1950-10-06 represents when it was re-founded at its current location in the Ramenki District after moving from Mokhovaya Street.

**Where is the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University located?**

It is located in the Ramenki District of Moscow, Russia, at coordinates 55.7075° N, 37.527222222222° E. The garden was originally situated on Mokhovaya Street from 1785 until 1812.

**What type of institution is the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University?**

It functions simultaneously as a research institute, botanical garden displaying plants with botanical names, tourist attraction, protected area of Russia, and architectural landmark.

**What is the relationship between this garden and Aptekarsky Ogorod?**

The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University replaced Aptekarsky Ogorod, which was founded in 1706 and located in Meshchansky District. Aptekarsky Ogorod itself was a botanical garden, protected area, and architectural landmark.

**Is the garden protected as a heritage site?**

Yes, it is designated as a regional cultural heritage site in Russia under Moscow Government Decree No. 89 dated February 9, 1999.

**What scientific or horticultural organizations is it affiliated with?**

It is affiliated with Moscow State University (Lomonosov) and holds a BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International) Garden ID of 180.

## Why It Matters

The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University serves as a critical intersection of scientific research, education, and cultural preservation within Russia. As a research institute affiliated with one of Russia's premier universities, it contributes to botanical research, plant conservation, and environmental education. Its status as a protected area and heritage site underscores its importance in preserving biodiversity and Moscow's historical landscape architecture.

The garden represents continuity in Russian botanical tradition, having evolved from the Aptekarsky Ogorod of 1706 through the Russian Empire and Soviet periods into modern Russia. This institutional persistence makes it a living testament to over three centuries of botanical science and horticultural practice in Moscow.

As a tourist attraction in Ramenki District, the garden provides public access to diverse plant collections, bridging the gap between academic research and public education about botany and ecology. Its designation as an architectural landmark also contributes to the cultural landscape of Moscow, integrating natural and built environment considerations.

## Notable For

- **Dual founding history**: One of few botanical institutions with documented origins dating back to 1785 and a major re-establishment in 1950
- **Heritage protection**: Designated as a regional cultural heritage site under Moscow Government Decree No. 89 (1999)
- **Institutional continuity**: Replaced the historic Aptekarsky Ogorod (founded 1706), maintaining Moscow's botanical garden tradition
- **International recognition**: Listed with BGCI (Garden ID: 180) and Wiki Loves Monuments program
- **Multilingual documentation**: Wikipedia entries in Bashkir, Latin, and Russian languages
- **Coordinate precision**: Location documented with high-precision coordinates (55.7075° N, 37.527222222222° E)

## Body

### History and Origins

The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University traces its institutional roots to 1785, when it was originally established on Mokhovaya Street in Moscow. This founding occurred during the reign of Catherine the Great, within the Russian Empire period. The garden remained at this initial location until 1812.

Following its original founding, the institution underwent significant transformation. It succeeded the Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary's Garden), which was founded in 1706 and served as Moscow's primary botanical garden during the early imperial period. The Aptekarsky Ogorod was itself a protected area and architectural landmark located in Meshchansky District.

In 1950, specifically on October 6, 1950, the garden was re-established at its current location in Ramenki District, Moscow. This move marked a new chapter in the institution's history, placing it within the campus area of Moscow State University. The coordinates for this location are documented as 55.7075° N latitude and 37.527222222222° E longitude.

### Geographic Location and Setting

The garden is situated in Ramenki District, a human settlement in Moscow, Russia. This location places it in the southwestern part of Moscow, within the university campus area. The garden's positioning within Ramenki District distinguishes it from its predecessor, Aptekarsky Ogorod, which was located in Meshchansky District in central Moscow.

The institution's geographic coordinates were formally fixed in 1950, corresponding with its establishment at the current site. Prior to this relocation, from 1785 to 1812, the garden was located on Mokhovaya Street in central Moscow.

### Institutional Classification

The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University operates under multiple institutional classifications simultaneously. It functions as a research institute, reflecting its primary purpose of conducting botanical research. As a botanical garden, it maintains collections of plants displayed with their botanical names for educational and conservation purposes.

The institution also operates as a tourist attraction, welcoming visitors to explore its collections and landscape. It holds protected area status within Russia, recognizing its role in biodiversity conservation. Additionally, it is recognized as an architectural landmark in Ramenki District, contributing to the visual and cultural identity of the area.

### Governance and Administration

The garden is administered by Moscow State University (Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова), one of Russia's oldest and most prestigious universities. It is specifically associated with the biological faculty of the university. The full institutional name reflects this affiliation: Ботанический сад биологического факультета Московского государственного университета имени М. В. Ломоносова (Botanical Garden of the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov).

The institution has existed under three distinct political entities: the Russian Empire (1721–1917), the Soviet Union (1922–1991), and modern Russia (since 1991).

### Heritage and Cultural Significance

The garden is protected as a regional cultural heritage site in Russia. This designation was formally granted through Moscow Government Decree No. 89 dated February 9, 1999 (Постановление Правительства Москвы № 89 от 09.02.1999). This recognition acknowledges the garden's historical, scientific, and cultural value to the Moscow region.

The heritage designation contributes to the broader context of cultural preservation in Moscow, integrating natural heritage with the city's architectural and historical landscape. The garden's status as an architectural landmark in Ramenki District further reinforces its significance within the urban fabric of Moscow.

### International Identification and Documentation

The institution maintains several unique identifiers across different platforms and databases. It is listed with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) under Garden ID 180, connecting it to the global network of botanical gardens committed to plant conservation.

For monument documentation purposes, it carries the Wiki Loves Monuments ID RU-7731069000. The Kulturnoe nasledie.ru (Cultural Heritage) database also lists the garden under ID 7731069000. Its Google Knowledge Graph identifier is /g/120jxr9r.

The Dzen platform (a Russian online publishing platform) lists the garden under ID 622b91d6d6fb0a2f4313802c, while the Egrokn (Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage) database identifies it under ID 771720774980005.

### Digital Presence and Media

The garden has a dedicated Commons category on Wikimedia Commons, providing access to visual documentation of the site. The main image associated with the garden depicts a collection of peonies (Сollection of peonies 11.JPG). A panoramic view image is also available, showing the garden in context with Moscow State University's main building.

Wikipedia coverage exists in multiple languages: Bashkir (ba), Latin (la), and Russian (ru), with the Russian entry being the most comprehensive. The total sitelink count across Wikipedia language editions is 5.

### Collections and Features

As a botanical garden, the institution maintains living collections of plants, displayed with botanical names for scientific and educational purposes. The garden serves both as a research facility for the university and as a public space for visitors interested in botany and horticulture. The combination of scientific function and public accessibility characterizes its role within Moscow's educational and cultural infrastructure.

## References

1. Q27601798
2. [Source](https://ru-monuments.toolforge.org/wikivoyage.php?id=7731069000)