Garden of Minerva

Tucked into the medieval heart of Salerno, the Giardino della Minerva is considered the first botanical garden in Western history, dating back to the Middle Ages when it served as a teaching ground for the famous Salerno School of Medicine. The terraced garden climbs the hillside in a series of lush, walled sections filled with medicinal herbs and plants that have been growing here for centuries. It's a quietly remarkable place — part living museum, part ancient classroom — and one of the most underrated spots in the whole city.