说到贝宁首都波多诺伏(Porto-Novo),大多数人脑子里跳出来的是殖民风格的建筑或者嘈杂的市场。其实在城市中心,藏着一块占地约 3.8 公顷却承载了三百多年历史的绿地。波多诺伏植物与自然园(Jardin des Plantes et de la Nature,简称 JPN)并不是普通的城市公园,它的前身是霍格博努(Hogbonu)王国的圣林。到了 1895 年,法国殖民者在这里建立了农业试验园。这里目前保留着超过 200 种植物,包括珍贵的药用植物和经济作物。比起看那些钢筋水泥,在这里花上一两个小时观察长尾猴和参天古树,更能摸到西非文化的脉络。
这片林子最早被称为米甘林(Miganzun)。米甘是当年王国的司法大臣兼处决官,这里曾是王国的法律审判地。在 17 世纪,树林深处决定着死囚的命运。这种严肃的宗教与司法属性让这片原始林木得以在城市扩张中幸存。现在的游客走在浓荫蔽日的步道上,脚下其实曾是古老权力的中心。那种庄重感至今还能在几棵合抱粗的古树边感受到。
到了 19 世纪末,法国州长里奥塔尔(Liotard)看中了这块地,将其改造成试验园。当时这片区域的面积高达 6.3 公顷,引进了可可、咖啡、肉豆蔻和肉桂等大量经济作物。现在的植物园虽然缩减到了 3.8 公顷,但依然能看到那个时代的影子。那种将本土信仰与西方农业科学强行揉杂在一起的历史厚重感,是其他地方见不到的。
园内最让人震撼的是一棵高度超过 40 米的伊罗科(Iroko)圣树。据说它的树龄已经超过 300 年,粗壮的板状根扎进泥土,仿佛能与地下神灵对话。在贝宁人的信仰里,伊罗科树具有神力。这种树不仅是自然的杰作,也是伏都教仪式的核心。即便在热带的酷暑下,站在这种巨木的树荫里,温度能瞬间降下好几度。
园子里生活着一群野生猴子,主要是莫娜长尾猴(Cercopithecus mona)。这些小家伙并不怕人,经常在树冠层跳跃,或者好奇地盯着路过的游客。虽然不像动物园里的动物那样被关在笼子里,但它们的存在让这片绿肺充满了生命力。建议进园时保持安静,这样更容易在枝叶晃动间发现它们。不用特意喂食,看它们在自然状态下觅食和打闹反而更有意思。
园内错落有致地摆放着 13 座木质雕塑。这些艺术品不仅仅是装饰,它们代表了伏都教法(Fa)占卜系统中的符号。每一个雕塑都有其特定的精神含义。导游通常会解释这些符号如何连接自然界与人类社会。这种将自然保护区与露天博物馆结合的做法,让游客在吸氧的同时也能快速了解西非人的精神世界。
植物园的位置就在贝宁国民议会和前总督府附近,交通非常方便。建议安排在上午十点开园时进场,这时候阳光还没那么毒辣。门票对于外国游客来说通常在 1000 到 2000 西非郎(CFA)之间,价格变动不大,但最好带足现金。如果你想听更深入的历史故事,建议请一名本地导游,全程步行大约需要两小时左右。清晨六点半的波多诺伏还带着雾气,但等到了植物园开门,那份宁静就变成了最奢侈的体验。
外国游客的门票价格大约在 1000 至 2000 西非郎(CFA)左右。本地居民的票价会更便宜一些。如果需要专业导游讲解历史细节,通常需要额外支付少量服务费,建议在入口处确认最新公示的价格。
这里最出名的是莫娜长尾猴(Mona monkeys),它们在树林中自由活动。除此之外,园内还有大量的松鼠、热带鸟类以及各种两栖动物。由于植被覆盖率极高,这里也是观察西非城市生态系统多样性的绝佳场所。
目前通常的开放时间是周二至周六的上午 10:00 到晚上 23:00。不过对于纯粹看植物和猴子的游客,建议在上午或午后前往,因为晚上的照明可能不适合远距离观察野生动物。出发前最好咨询本地导游以防临时闭园。
门口通常有持证讲解员可以陪同。考虑到园内很多关于伏都教(Vodun)和历史背景的介绍没有中文标注,请一位能说英语或法语的导游非常有必要。他们能带你找到那些隐藏在密林里的 300 年古树并讲解背后的司法权变迁故事。
eunice thompson Oh this place was absolutely fabulous for an earth girlie like me!! I loved it 🥹 It was one of my favorite places I visited in Porto novo, The man at the entrance was so friendly and warm to us, he welcomed us and we got some souvenirs and some food. The birds, the trees, everything was so soothing and calm. I met someone named Bajine Clara and we had a wholesome conversation even though we both couldn’t speak each others language, I had an absolutely fabulous time. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Porto novo and looking for some time to reconnect with nature.
Mahouton Vidjinangni This place is simply recommended for someone who wants to have a drink surrounded by nature and calm.
Eric Alvarado It’s a nice public space but no one was there. It feels abandoned and open at the same time.
Ellen R First time I visited in 2017 this was a beautiful and interesting place. But due to lack of maintenance it's become a bit sad. It's messy and several paths are now inaccessible. The pond is half empty. Also full of mosquito's but I suppose that comes with the territory. But it still has some wonderful big trees.
Emma Timmins A little forest in the city. Very peaceful and beautiful, but small. A good place to take shelter from the heat of the sun and read your book, but not particularly interesting for any other reason. There are two parts on either side of the street, one is more dense forest and has only 1 bench near the gate, the other is more of a clearing with benches, a restaurant and a playground- still well shaded. A man tried to get us to pay for entry, but we refused. He put up quite a fight, but no fees are posted, no one mentions it in the comments on google, and it says it’s free online. If this happens to you, don’t bend! Simply to walk around is, in fact, free.