The Professor Atilio Lombardo Museum and Botanical Garden, commonly known as the Botanical Garden, is located in the neighborhood of El Prado, in Montevideo, Uruguay. This important space is administered by the Municipality of Montevideo and plays a fundamental role as an educational and scientific center in the field of botany. Its mission is to promote knowledge of the native plants of Uruguay, as well as those of other parts of the world, fostering appreciation for biodiversity and the conservation of natural ecosystems. Through its vast collection and activities, the Botanical Garden facilitates access to information on botany and related sciences to both specialists and the general public.

Since its creation in 1902, the Botanical Garden has become a national reference in botany, management of green areas, and conservation of native species. Its Herbarium attracts researchers from all over the world, consolidating itself as a center of excellence in the study of flora. In addition, the garden actively participates in education, offering courses and workshops since 1986, including specialized programs for general audiences.

Located on Avenida 19 de Abril and with additional access from Avenida Luis Alberto de Herrera, the Botanical Garden was designed by the French landscape architect Carlos Racine. Its foundation was promoted by José Arechavaleta, who conceived the idea of the park, and by other key figures such as Cornelio Cantera, who donated the first native plants, and Daniel Muñoz, who promoted public support for the project. From its modest beginnings of just over one hectare, the garden has grown thanks to the acquisition of additional land through expropriation and donations. Professor Atilio Lombardo, who directed it between 1940 and 1973, played a crucial role in the organization and expansion of its collections.

The Botanical Garden houses nearly a thousand taxa, with a particular focus on plants native to Uruguay, but also includes specimens from other regions of the world. Plants are organized according to their botanical parentage, geographic origin, and ecological needs. Among its most outstanding collections are the palms, with species such as Syagrus, Butia, and Trithrinax, some of which are native to Uruguay. Other notable species include the butterfly vine, the red azucenita, and the white-flowered ceibo, all representative of Uruguayan biodiversity.

In addition to the general collections, the garden has sections dedicated to plants from different environments, such as xerophytes, aquatic and tropical plants, as well as thematic collections focusing on medicinal plants and grasses. The museum, located in the central building, complements the garden experience with didactic exhibits on plant physiology, a specialized library, and a herbarium with dried samples of native and cultivated species. This herbarium was enriched by the collections of Professor Lombardo and other researchers, and presents an important carpological collection, including seeds and nuts of various species.

The Botanical Garden of Montevideo, with its diversity of collections, its educational and scientific approach, and its rich history, remains a vital space for botanical research and conservation of flora, and continues to attract visitors and researchers from all over the world.