The Plants Classification

Although the most flourishing and blooming period of the Minerva Gardens was around the 17th century, it is fair to notice how the plants were classified according to a rigid scientific criteria decontaminated from any possible influence of the magical and superstitious tradition.
Within the structure hosting the gardens some handbooks and ‘herbaria’ are preserved containing rigorous classifications, as well as a wide and various/ heterogeneous collection of typical instruments.
The most influential text of the period it is thought to be "Opus Pandectarum Medicinae”, commonly known as “Pandette”, which was written in 1317 by an important exponent of the Selvatico family, who is Matteo Selvatico.

• Photos by Fabrizio Citarella (January 2011)