Founded in 1951 on the southern slopes of Marjan, the Botanical Garden featured numerous plants from tropical and subtropical regions, with native Mediterranean flora in its northern part. The garden was not only an educational institution but also a promoter of plant cultivation and care. In the early 1960s, it successfully collaborated with numerous botanical institutions worldwide. The garden flourished until the 1980s, when it unfortunately began to deteriorate. The Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics has since taken steps towards its restoration.

The goal of the restoration and renovation of the neglected garden as part of the “Marjan 2020 – Hill of the Past, Oasis of the Future” project is to transform it into a botany interpretation center with numerous new features, including multimedia and botanical educational content. The renovated Botanical Garden will primarily serve to educate visitors about nature and the biodiversity of the botanical world, with a focus on the Mediterranean area. This will also increase visitors' awareness of the need to preserve natural heritage and its sustainable use.