Zurich’s former botanical garden lies on an old bastion, the Bollwerk zur Katz, tucked into a curve of the old moat, the so-called Schanzengraben, which was part of the city’s fortification in mediaeval times. The University of Zurich operated its botanical gardens here until 1976, before moving to Riesbach for more space. The garden is now a pretty park in the city centre with many grand old trees and a mediaeval herb garden in memory of the famous Swiss scientist Conrad Gesner (1516 - 1565).