Giardino della Minerva (Garden of Minerva), Salerno (must see)

The Garden of Minerva unveils the secrets of the renowned Salerno Medical School and the foundational principles of ancient and medieval medicine. Situated on the slopes of Bonadies Hill, between the Fusandola stream and the ancient city walls, the garden preserves the legacy of Matteo Silvatico, a distinguished master of the Salerno Medical School, who established his medical garden here in the early 14th century.

Dating back to this period, the garden is considered one of the earliest examples of a botanical garden in the Western world, where plants were systematically cultivated for study, teaching, and medicinal use. Its terraced layout and structured use of vegetation later influenced the development of botanical gardens in cities such as Padua, Pisa, Florence, Pavia, and Bologna.

Within the Minerva Garden, Matteo Silvatico cultivated and classified an extensive array of plants and herbs, many of them used in medieval medicine. The garden also functioned as an open-air classroom, where he taught students of the Salerno Medical School, contributing to the city’s reputation as a leading centre of medical knowledge in medieval Europe.

Visitors can also encounter medieval painted tiles discovered during the restoration of the Capasso Palace), a historic building incorporated into the garden complex. Throughout the year, the garden hosts exhibitions and cultural events, while the culinary aspect is overseen by the Nemus Association, known for preparing herbal infusions using locally sourced and certified ingredients.