History
The Hortus Medicus is unique heritage and one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, with a rich history dating back to 1638. It was a medicinal garden where physicians and apothecaries studied herbs and plants and taught about their medicinal uses.
Herbs and plants were—and still are—vital to life. Among other things, they serve as raw materials, food, flavourings and for medicinal purposes. Herbs and plants not only have striking colours and scents, they also possess distinctive properties and they originate from different parts of the world.
he Gasthuiskerk has its origins in the Middle Ages and stood near the Allard Pierson. This church formed part of the Gasthuis complex (Binnengasthuis), where, for a time, the medicinal plants of the Hortus Medicus were used.