Overview:

is a stunning complex of 19th century greenhouses and gardens built by King Leopold II of Belgium for the cultivation of exotic plants. Located in the Laeken neighborhood of Brussels, the complex includes the Main Greenhouse, the Orangery, and the Red Begonias Garden. Visitors are invited to tour the complex each year between April and October, where they can enjoy the exotic plants, and admire the Venetian glass and wrought ironwork that make up the greenhouses. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

1. Grand Palace of Laeken - This Baroque-style palace is the official residence of the reigning King of Belgium. Built between 1782 and 1784 over the ruins of the former hunting pavilion of the Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the palace features an octagonal-shaped dome rising above its vast grounds. 2. Winter Garden - The large glasshouse conservatory of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken was designed by Alphonso Balat in 1874, when Belgium was under the rule of King Leopold II. The garden was created to showcase tropical plants and exotic species from Africa and South America. 3. Japanese Tower - The Japanese Tower in the gardens of Laeken was built in 1882 and designed by English architect Sir Ernest George. Today, the tower still stands tall and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the gardens. 4. Japanese Tea House - Located near the Japanese Tower, the Japanese Tea House was built in 1911 by Japanese architect Yoshinobu Sato at the request of King Albert I. This traditional wooden structure is a unique sight among the gardens of Laeken. 5. Tropical Greenhouses - These beautiful glasshouses were designed by Alphonso Balat in 1876. Three of these buildings are open to public tours, and they house a wide variety of tropical and rare plants from around the world, including cycads, banana trees, palms, ferns, and orchids. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken is a vast complex of monumental heated greenhouses in the park of the Royal Castle of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium. The complex was designed and built by architect Alphonse Balat from 1874 to 1895, and is an important aspect of the Belgian royal family’s residence. It is the largest complex of its kind in Europe. The greenhouses were initially built for Leopold II as part of an ambitious park project. But, the project was delayed for a number of years due to disagreements over the project’s funding. During this time, the royal family made use of the grounds by planting a variety of trees and bushes, including camellia and magnolia trees. It wasn’t until the 1880s that the greenhouses were completed after the royal family approved the funding. The complex consists of four formal greenhouses: the Grandes Serres, or Large Houses; the Petites Serres, or Small Houses; the Orangerie; and the Large Winter Garden. Each greenhouse contains a variety of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as exotic trees from around the world. The Grandes Serres, for example, houses palms, cacti, and ferns. The Petites Serres contains a jungle-like atmosphere composed of exotic and rare plants, while the Orangerie is home to various citrus trees such as orange, lemon, and lime. The Large Winter Garden is a glass conservatory which is active all year round. The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken is a popular tourist attraction and is open to visitor from April to October. The complex has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are a vast complex of glass and wrought iron greenhouses in the district of Laeken, Brussels, Belgium. 2. Built between 1874 and 1895 by the architect Alphonse Balat, these greenhouses are some of the most important examples of 19th-century iron glass architecture in Europe. 3. To this day, the glass complex consisting of 33 structures, contains some 8,000 exotic plants from all around the world including tropical plants, orchids, and rare varieties of cacti. 4. The greenhouses are managed and maintained by an entire gardening staff of 43 people, and are only open for the public in the springtime each year. 5. In 1984, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 6. In addition to the greenhouses, the Laeken estate also contains a neoclassical palace for the royal family, which is only open for public events. 7. The palace was built in the 19th century by Felix de Brauw, and is known for its twin domes, marble statues, mosaic floors, and intricate gardens. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era