2 Euro Proof

The Botanical Garden was established in 1810 during the French rule over the Illyrian Provinces. These were administrative territories created by Napoleon, which also included Ljubljana. The garden was initially conceived as an educational and research institution for the native flora and was affiliated with an institution of higher education in the city. It continued to exist even after the end of French rule. Later, it became part of the University of Ljubljana (Universität Ljubljana) and has since served botanical research, academic teaching and the preservation of plant collections.

The botanist and clergyman Franc Hladnik was involved in its founding and initially directed the garden. Hladnik studied the flora of the then-region of Krain intensively and contributed to the botanical exploration of the area through his excursions, collections and contacts with other naturalists. His name is closely associated with the institution’s early history.

The species selected for the coin design belongs to the umbellifer family. It is the only species of its genus and occurs naturally only in a small area of Slovenia, primarily along the southern edge of Trnovski gozd. Species with a highly restricted natural range are referred to as endemics. The genus name commemorates Franc Hladnik, thereby linking the founder, the study of Slovenian flora and the work of the garden.

The anniversary fell at a time when, alongside research and teaching, botanical gardens were increasingly taking on tasks related to protecting rare plant species and communicating the importance of biological diversity. The choice of an endemic plant named after Hladnik therefore highlighted both the institution’s historical origins and its botanical and nature-conservation mission. The bicentenary also provided a clear calendar occasion for a national commemorative issue.