The Botanical Garden is one of the best preserved and beautiful green areas of Rio, with about 6500 species of Brazilian and foreign flora. It was created in the early 19th century and has since received such distinguished visits as the scientist Albert Einstein. The institution became world famous for being at the forefront of scientific research on tropical flora, considering teaching as fundamental in its work since its foundation. Therefore, besides being a Botanical Garden is also a research center. In 1995, the institution built the Sensorial Garden with plants identified by Braille signs for the visually impaired. In the 1930s, Japan presented the Institution with a typical Japanese garden adorned with bonsai, bamboo, cherry, stone garden, and ponds with lotus flowers.
Like the first botanical gardens that emerged in Europe, that of Rio de Janeiro aimed to study medicinal plants, trying to identify and prove the therapeutic properties of the species based on the research of the flora. The acclimatization began from its foundation with the spices of the East: vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and mainly the black tea. The Chinese came to Brazil to take care of these spices, especially tea since they had thousands of years of knowledge about the plant's culture. Recently, the Botanical Garden created the Museum of the Environment and the Tom Jobim Space integrating culture, environment, and scientific knowledge. The plantation áreas, also adapted as leisure space, were adorned with sculptures, bridges, pergolas, fountains, lakes, flowerbeds, and alleys that enchant visitors. Visit the famous alley of the imperial palm trees, whose idea the farms adapted in the lanes. By increasing exchange with similar institutions and researching the flora in their habitat, the Botanical Garden contributed to the creation of national parks such as the Itatiaia Forest Reserve and the first expeditions to distant regions such as Amazonas.
The tour offers a quick visit to the Brazilian Hippodrome, also known as the Jockey Club of Brazil, an institution close to the Botanical Garden, with its headquarters built in Louis XV style. Its location is privileged, on the edge of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Where you can see Christ, The Redeemer. Currently, the place holds events, leisure, fashion, gastronomy, receptions, shows and major national turf competitions.
