“El Bartolí” Botanical Garden | Palmera, Spain

Fundació Todolí Citrus

The Todolí Citrus Foundation, located in Palmera in the region of Valencia, is a center dedicated to the preservation and study of citrus fruits, with a collection of over 500 varieties from around the world. Founded by Vicente Todolí, the foundation combines scientific research with cultural appreciation to highlight the historical importance of citrus. Its ethnobotanical museum and specialized library offer valuable insight into the role citrus has played in traditional medicine and the history of pharmacy. For centuries, citrus fruits such as lemons, bitter oranges, citrons, and bergamots were widely used in European remedies. They were valued for their medicinal properties in treating digestive issues, fevers, and vitamin deficiencies. Monastic and urban pharmacies used them both as active ingredients in herbal preparations and as flavoring agents to improve the taste of complex remedies. The Todolí Citrus Foundation helps safeguard this therapeutic heritage, preserving the memory of citrus in medical history and promoting its continued relevance today. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the garden, where they can explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the citrus collection firsthand.