Royal Greenhouses in Laeken:

Posted by Siglinde on May 30, 2014 in Allgemein | 0 comments

visiting a paradise in Belgium,

unfortunately only open to public for 3 weeks a year, and this since more than 100 years. For entrance only 2,50€ will be charged, and that only for those above 18 years.

 

 

Ever in spring, as early as the Azaleas, Camellias, Pelargonias and Fuchsias come into full bloom, the Royal Greenhouses and Gardens open up to the public. There are as well many other- partly exotic- plants such as Hortensia’s, Strelitzias,  Medinillas, Orchids, Ferns and ancient, giant Palms. King Leopold II. gave the assignment to build the greenhouses 1873 to the french architect of the court Alphonse Balat and did not spare any costs or restricted the number of involved laborers nor the given time. Until 1895 therefore a huge complex of 15 monumental greenhouses was finished, composed of glass-palasts made of steel and glass, covering a total of about 14000 sqm. ground. To view all these buildings from the inside, one has to walk close to 1 km. To reach the entrance selected for the visitors there is a good opportunity to adore the splendid park around the castle of the royal family of Belgium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping into the greenhouses the sight is breath-taking, looking to the right, left, or straight ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a change a view at the splendid Azaleas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a rare Medinillas within a chinese pot,

 

 

 

 

 

a spectacular sight at a side ascent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and another view to the side:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a marvelous day, and we felt “royal”. And in the end, in my mania, i came to the conclusion:

 

The sky is plastered with Fuchsias!

 

 

 

Links:

VisitBelgium- Royal Greenhouses in Laeken

Wikipedia- Royal Greenhouses of Laeken