The visual identity project for Trsteno Arboretum is rooted in the unique character of the oldest Renaissance arboretum in Southeast Europe – a place where Mediterranean nature, cultural heritage and humanist thought converge. Established in the late 15th century as part of the summer residence of the Gučetić-Gozze family, the arboretum preserves rich botanical diversity and stands as a valuable example of Renaissance landscape design.

The project explores how its historical, cultural and botanical character can be translated into a contemporary visual identity system. The concept was developed through research into Renaissance philosophy, Dubrovnik’s maritime heritage and the work of the humanist Nikola Vitov Gučetić. At the core of the identity is the relationship between nature and knowledge, encapsulated in the idea: “Where nature takes shape and thought becomes visible.”

The visual system is based on cyanotype, a photographic technique that uses sunlight to record plant impressions on paper. Inspired by historical herbariums, it symbolises light, time and the memory of nature, while the botanical prints form the basis of a flexible system applicable across different media.

The logo brings together the key elements of the arboretum’s identity. A compass refers to Dubrovnik’s maritime heritage, a diagonal line represents the stream that divides the arboretum landscape, and Renaissance-inspired forms connect the identity to its architectural context. The result is a contemporary visual identity that interprets heritage as a living memory of nature, knowledge and continuity.