Kebun Raya Bogor, also known as Bogor Botanical Gardens, is a vast botanical garden situated in Bogor, Indonesia. Managed by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), this garden is located in close proximity to the presidential palace complex, Istana Bogor. Encompassing an area of 87 hectares, it boasts a diverse collection of 15,000 species of trees and plants. The strategic geographical position of Bogor, characterized by frequent rainfall throughout the year, makes it an ideal location for the cultivation of tropical flora.
Established in 1817 by the Dutch East Indies government, Bogor Botanical Gardens has thrived over the years under the guidance of distinguished botanists such as Johannes Elias Teijsmann, Rudolph Herman Christiaan Carel Scheffer, and Melchior Treub. Since its inception, the garden has played a pivotal role as a prominent research hub for agriculture and horticulture, earning the distinction of being the oldest botanical garden in Southeast Asia.
Today, Bogor Botanical Gardens attracts a significant number of tourists, particularly on weekends. The admission fee for visitors is Rp 30,000. Surrounding the garden are institutions of scientific significance, such as the Bogoriense Herbarium and the Zoological Museum Bogor, further enhancing the educational value of this renowned botanical site.
photo source: instagram.com/kebunrayabogor
Background
The area that is now the Bogor Botanical Gardens was originally part of a "samida" (artificial forest) that was established during the reign of Sri Baduga Maharaja (Prabu Siliwangi, 1474-1513) who ruled the Kingdom of Sunda, as written in the Batutulis inscription. This forest was created to protect rare tree seedlings. The forest was abandoned after the fall of the Kingdom of Sunda in the 16th century. In 1744, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a garden and wastu at the location of the current Botanical Gardens in Buitenzorg (now known as Bogor).
After the British invaded Java in 1811, Thomas Stamford Raffles was appointed as the Lieutenant-Governor of the island and he took the Buitenzorg Palace as his residence. Raffles had a great interest in botany and was interested in developing the palace grounds into a beautiful garden. With the help of botanist W. Kent, who also helped build Kew Gardens in London, Raffles transformed the palace grounds into a classic English-style garden. This is the beginning of the Bogor Botanical Gardens in its current form.
In 1814, Olivia Raffles (wife of Thomas Stamford Raffles) passed away due to illness and was buried in Batavia. As a tribute, a monument was erected for her in the Bogor Botanical Gardens.
The vast expanse of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, covering an impressive 87 hectares, accommodates a multitude of structures. These include the Herbarium, Museum, Botanical Laboratory, Experimental Garden, Chemistry Laboratory, Pharmacy Laboratory, Branch Gardens in Sibolangit, Deli Serdang, and Purwodadi. Additionally, the gardens house the Photography and Administration Library, the Fisheries Office, and the Biology Academy, which served as the foundation for IPB. Notably, the majestic banyan tree stands tall, adding to the allure of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, also known as Istana Bogor.
The Bogor Botanical Gardens, sprawling across a vast area of 87 hectares, boast an array of buildings that serve various purposes. These structures encompass the Herbarium, Museum, Botanical Laboratory, Experimental Garden, Chemistry Laboratory, Pharmacy Laboratory, and Branch Gardens located in Sibolangit, Deli Serdang, and Purwodadi. Furthermore, the gardens are home to the Photography and Administration Library, the Fisheries Office, and the Biology Academy, which played a pivotal role in the establishment of IPB. Notably, the gardens are adorned with the presence of a magnificent banyan tree, further enhancing the grandeur of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, also referred to as Istana Bogor.
Within the expansive grounds of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, which span an impressive 87 hectares, numerous buildings can be found. These structures encompass a diverse range of facilities, including the Herbarium, Museum, Botanical Laboratory, Experimental Garden, Chemistry Laboratory, Pharmacy Laboratory, and Branch Gardens located in Sibolangit, Deli Serdang, and Purwodadi. Additionally, the gardens house the Photography and Administration Library, the Fisheries Office, and the Biology Academy, which served as the precursor to IPB. Notably, the gardens are graced by the presence of a colossal banyan tree, further enhancing the splendor of the Bogor Botanical Gardens, also known as Istana Bogor.
viscos.bogor@kebunraya.id - Phone : + 62 (251) 831-1362