l giardini della minerva are old botanical gardens situated near the ancient perimeter fence of Salerno (Via Ferrante Sanseverino, 1), in a very favourable geographical position, protected from the wind and exposed to the sun every day. This XII century’s construction, once owned by Matteo Silvatico’s family, was used to cultivate officinal plants. The possessor was a famous doctor of the time who still adopted the Hippocrates’ “dottrina dei quattro umori” (litteraly: “the four humours doctrine”). During the Middle Age, the medicaments of “Scuola medica salernitana” were prepared with plants’ extracts which are cultivated still today. From the gardens which are constituted by several terracings, it is possible to see an Arabic irrigation system and to enjoy the wonderful view of Salerno’s bay.
More information on the Official website (Italian).
- Photos by Carmela Memoli (December 2010)
- Locate the item on this Google map
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