Carl Linnaeus Monument

The Carl Linnaeus Monument stands in the Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław, in the plant systematics section, exactly at the point where several paths converge. It is a small, intimate spot for those exploring the garden at a slower pace, rather than a destination in itself.

A bust on a brick pedestal

The monument takes the form of a realistic, detailed bust set on a tall pedestal of classicist form. The bust is made of sandstone and the pedestal of brick; the whole stands two metres high. The pedestal bears the inscription "Linné", with a dedication to the founder below it.

Erected in 1871

The monument's author was Albert Rachner, and its founder was Moritz Wesel, who funded the work in 1870. The monument itself was completed in 1871, and it was unveiled on 23 May that year.

War damage and a new sculpture on the pedestal

During the Second World War the monument was slightly damaged. Antonio Comolli then filled in the missing parts of the bust. Over time, ongoing deterioration led to the original bust being moved in 2001 to an enclosed lecture hall room and put through conservation. A new sculpture, made by Professor Bohdan Chmielewski, was placed on the pedestal in the garden in its place.

Practical information

• Address: Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław, Stare Miasto district, Wrocław.
• Getting there: on foot from Ostrów Tumski, near the Archcathedral of St John the Baptist and Tumski Bridge.
• What to expect: the monument is only accessible during the botanical garden's opening hours, worth checking before your visit; the figure on the pedestal is a copy, the original bust is kept in a closed room and is not shown to visitors.