Hivernacle de la Ciutadella comes back to life as Darwin’s experimental garden in Barcelona

The Hivernacle de la Ciutadella becomes, until 31 May, a botanical laboratory inspired by Darwin. The free exhibition displays living plants, illustrations and models. A unique opportunity to discover plant evolution in the heart of Barcelona.

Barcelona adds an essential new plan for those looking for green corners and different cultural experiences. The Hivernacle del Parc de la Ciutadella, recently restored, becomes until 31 May a true experimental garden inspired by Charles Darwin. The free exhibition ‘Darwin botánico’ invites visitors to explore the plant world that fascinated the naturalist, with more than one hundred living species, illustrations and models that transform the space into a laboratory open to the public.

The exhibition proposes a chronological journey through Darwin’s experiments and findings, from his obsession with orchids and their peculiar reproductive system to the discovery of carnivorous and climbing plants. Each section reveals how plants served as evidence for the theory of evolution, with scent devices and details that spark curiosity even among those who are not experts in botany.

The visit is structured into six thematic spaces. It explores the strategies flowers use to avoid self-fertilisation, the astonishing world of carnivorous plants, the keys to plant evolution and the art of climbing. It also reveals Darwin’s more practical side as a horticulturist and his interest in the domestication of species, as well as the surprising sensitivity of plants to external stimuli.

The exhibition can be visited every day from 10:00 to 20:00, with free admission. In addition, from 7 March, guided visits are offered at 11:00 and 17:00 at weekends and on public holidays, ideal for those who want to delve into Darwin’s history and experiments surrounded by vegetation.

The Hivernacle, protected as a Bien Cultural de Interés Local, was built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition and reopened in December 2023 after a comprehensive restoration. Since January 2025, it has been part of the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, consolidating itself as one of the most distinctive spaces for enjoying nature and science in the heart of the city.

The Hivernacle de la Ciutadella is much more than a historic greenhouse. Its iron-and-glass structure, the work of architect Josep Amargós i Samaranch, represents one of the best examples of modernist architecture applied to urban green spaces. After decades of intermittent use and closures, the recent restoration has returned the building to its original splendour, allowing it once again to be a meeting point for lovers of botany, science and culture. Its integration into the Museu de Ciències Naturals strengthens its role as a benchmark for science communication and Barcelona’s cultural life.