Greenhouse Laeken

One of the things that I love doing when spring arrives is visiting the greenhouse of the Royal Domain in Brussels. As customary, the domain is opened to the public each year for three weeks end of April and beginning of May. Last year I went but since I try to do this once every two years I'm not going this time.

A little about the construction ... The entire story can be read here.

During the 19th century, progress in construction techniques, especially the use of metal and glass as construction materials, made a new type of building possible: the greenhouse. In 1873, architect Alphonse Balat designed for King Leopold II a complex of greenhouses which complement the castle of Laeken, built in the classical style.

The greenhouses house a sizeable collection of plants and flowers, particularly exotic ones, including a very important collection of camellias. Each year in the spring, the greenhouses are opened to the general public, which demonstrates the desire of the current Sovereigns to share their love of plants and flowers with everyone.

The present-day plant collection at the Greenhouses in Laeken is valuable from three viewpoints. First of all, some of the plants belonging to Leopold II's original collections still exist. Furthermore, the current collections still respect the spirit that prevailed when the original collections were planted. Finally, the Royal Greenhouses still contain an enormous number of rare and valuable plants.If you want to read a little bit more about our royal family, a brief resumé can be found here.

All this to come to the most important part ... Pictures of the whole place!











I hoped you liked this small visit! :-)

Comments

Unknown said…
Bedankt voor de rondleiding, deze mooie tuin kende ik nog niet.
Ik hoop er wel eens naar toe te gaan na het zien van deze foto's.

Groetjes Yvon.
Carol said…
Thank you for the tour of the Royal Greenhouse, Ann--what a lovely, lovely place!
♥ Nia said…
Such a gorgeous place :) thank you for sharing!!
Hugs&smiles

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