Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden

Updated June 11, 2025

## Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden, Iași — Practical Guide for Curious Travelers

The Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden (Grădina Botanică „Anastasie Fătu”) in Iași is widely recognized as Romania’s oldest botanical garden, founded in 1856 by physician-naturalist Anastasie Fătu. It sits on Copou Hill and belongs to Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. Several authoritative sources (the garden’s own history page, the municipal tourism site, and reference works) confirm its pioneering status and long continuity.

### Where it is & how to enter
– Address / entrance: Str. Dumbrava Roșie no. 7, Iași, 700487. The garden asks visitors to use this entrance exclusively.

### Opening hours (checked Nov 2, 2025)
– Outdoor areas: daily 09:00–18:00
– Greenhouse complex: Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun — 10:00–18:00; Mon & Wed closed
These times are published by the garden; always verify if traveling off-season.

### Tickets & on-site services (published by the garden)
– Standard entry: 15 lei/person
– Students & retirees (or groups ≥10): 10 lei/person
– Pupils (incl. teachers/parents): 5 lei/person
– Exhibitions & events: typically 20 lei/person (reduced 15 lei for students/retirees; 5 lei for pupils)
– On days when greenhouses are closed (Mon/Wed): 10 lei/person (reduced 5 lei for group pupils/students/retirees)
– Guided tour (by appointment ≥10 days): 125 lei/hour
– Monthly pass: 80 lei/person (25 lei for retirees)
– Photo/video events (e.g., weddings): 200 lei/hour
– Outdoor event organization: 350 lei/hour; civil ceremony: 550 lei/hour
Free access: UAIC employees & students, children under 3, persons with disabilities and their companions, children from orphanages/foster care, and war veterans. Contact: +40 232 201 373, [email protected].

> Accessibility & inclusion: The garden provides assistance for wheelchair users (outdoor sections and greenhouses) by request at least 48 hours in advance and lists fixed/mobile ramps, marked access routes, and an elevator to the new greenhouses. It also features a section designed for visitors with visual disabilities, with plant labels in Braille.

—

## Why this garden matters

– Oldest in the country (1856): Founded with Fătu’s own funds to advance botanical education—documented by the garden and multiple sources.
– Scale: Figures vary by source because the site has expanded over time. The garden’s history page notes ~87.95 ha today; the Coimbra Group profile lists 80 ha; English-language references often cite ~82 ha. Treat 80–88 ha as the realistic range and check the garden site for the most current figure.
– University stewardship: Operated by Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, supporting research, ex-situ conservation, and public education.

—

## What to See: Smart Route Through the Sections

Start at the Ornamental Section (by the main entrance). You’ll find seasonal displays and a compact greenhouse area that’s easy to browse at opening. The section covers ~4 ha outdoors plus 400 m² of greenhouse, useful for orienting before deeper explorations.

Move north-west to the Phytogeographic Section (≈11.57 ha). Plants are grouped by place of origin and arranged in natural/mixed landscape styles—a quick way to compare biomes without hopping continents. Note the plateau and landslide-prone slope, a reminder that you’re on Copou’s varied terrain.

Head to the Moldavia Sylvosteppe Section (≈13.92 ha). This is a strong primer on regional steppe-forest vegetation, useful context if you’re touring northeastern Romania’s protected areas.

Greenhouse Complex (timed entry days). The greenhouse schedule (Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun) is worth planning around. Expect rotating exhibitions (e.g., Autumn Flowers, Exotic Plants) that draw on the scientific collections. The site’s news feed lists current shows and dates.

> Birding angle (bonus): Quiet edges of the garden host common woodpeckers, nuthatches, hawfinches, and sparrowhawks, according to field reports—bring binoculars if that enhances your visit.

—

## Itinerary Tips (evidence-based)

– Allocate 2–3 hours if you want a relaxed loop through the main sections and one greenhouse session. Visitor accounts commonly report spending ~2 hours to cover core highlights; plan more if you’re photographing exhibitions.
– Check the events calendar before you go. Exhibitions (e.g., Autumn Flowers, Edible & Toxic Fungi) can change crowd patterns and greenhouse queues.
– Accessibility planning: If you use a wheelchair or prefer step-free routes, email/phone 48 hours ahead for assistance; the site lists ramps, marked routes, and an elevator in the new greenhouses.
– Budgeting: The 15 lei standard entry is good value; consider a monthly pass (80 lei) if you’re based in Iași for longer or want repeated photography across seasons.

—

## Short History Snapshot (with a clarity check on “size”)

– 1856: Anastasie Fătu opens the garden near Râpa Galbenă, self-funded.
– Later 19th c.: A second, smaller garden is created near the Society of Physicians & Naturalists; today that site relates to the Natural History Museum.
– 1960s onward: The garden consolidates on Copou Hill and expands in stages (documented surface milestones: ~30 ha in 1967, ~65 ha in 1968; ~80–88 ha in recent institutional sources). The size differences across sources reflect incremental land additions and rounding in publications.

—

## Practical FAQs

Is it really the oldest botanical garden in Romania?
Yes—founded in 1856 and cited as the oldest by the garden, city guides, and reference entries.

How big is it?
Expect 80–88 hectares across multiple sections; the garden’s own history page currently mentions ~87.95 ha. Variability in printed figures (80/82/88 ha) likely stems from phased expansions and different measurement epochs.

Are there specific hours for the greenhouses?
Yes—Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:00–18:00; Mon/Wed closed. Outdoor areas run 09:00–18:00 daily.

What about inclusive access?
Assisted access for wheelchair users is available on request (≥48h); the garden lists ramps, marked routes, and an elevator to the new houses. There’s also a Braille-labeled section for visitors with visual disabilities.

—

## Nearby Culture Pairings (time-efficient)

If you’re building a day around Copou Hill, consider combining the garden with other university-linked sights and museums in Iași’s academic quarter. (Verify opening hours separately; those vary by institution.)

—

## What’s potentially outdated?

– Surface area: you’ll see 80 ha, 82 ha, and ~87.95 ha across credible sources. The garden’s history page (≈87.95 ha) is the best current figure to prioritize; other references may be older summaries.
– Event dates: the home page lists time-boxed exhibitions; check right before your visit.

—

## Essential Details (quick copy/paste)

– Place: Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden, Iași, Romania
– Entrance: Str. Dumbrava Roșie 7, 700487
– Hours: Outdoors 09:00–18:00 daily; Greenhouses Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 10:00–18:00; Mon/Wed closed
– Tickets: From 5–15 lei (standard 15 lei); passes & guided tours available; several free-entry categories as listed above.
– Access support: Request 48h ahead for wheelchair assistance; ramps & elevator available. Braille section on site.

—

All facts above are drawn from the garden’s official pages and corroborating references, with last checks on November 2, 2025.

Key Highlights

Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden

Location

Places to Stay Near Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden"Plenty of interesting things to see over there"

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides