Hey there,

While looking for my next travel destination in Europe, I found the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, which mesmerized me from the first moment. I knew I had to travel there. I have collected all the important information that can be helpful to you if you are planning to visit this spring.

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are located on the grounds of the Royal Castle of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium. These greenhouses are part of the larger complex that serves as the official residence of the Belgian royal family.

History of the Greenhouses

The greenhouses were commissioned by King Leopold II and were designed by the architect Alphonse Balat. The construction took place between 1874 and 1895. The complex was built in the Art Nouveau style, with intricate ironwork and glass. The building complex looks like a glass city with a jungle inside.

Architecture and Design

The greenhouses consist of a series of interconnected pavilions and domes, each designed to create specific climatic conditions suitable for the cultivation of various plants. The total floor area of ​​the heated complex is 2.5 hectares. The tropical, subtropical, and cold greenhouses make up 36 pavilions, which are organized into 3 main zones.

The main greenhouses are the Embarcadère Glasshouse (Iron Church), the Congo Glasshouse, and the Winter Garden, which are connected to each other by several hundred-meter-long corridors full of plants.

In addition to these, the complex also includes small pavilions, an orangery, galleries, glass passages, and other greenhouses. The structures are made of iron and glass, allowing ample sunlight to reach the plants inside.

Plant Collection 

The first greenhouse was the Winter Garden, which is still used today as a reception building. The glass dome at the top is approx. 25 meters high. The 36 cast-iron structural arches were specially designed for subtropical, tall plants. Most of the plants placed here date back to the time of King Leopold.

In the Congo Glasshouse, we could once find plants that came from the Congo but were not able to survive outdoors in Belgium’s climate. Today it is inhabited by subtropical plants.

The Embarcadère Glass House was built to accommodate the King’s guests. The plants found here mainly come from Asia.

The Orange House was commissioned by King William I of the Netherlands and houses the world’s largest collection of camellias with 296 different varieties.

The collection of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken is one of the most valuable in the world. It includes different varieties of palms, camellias, date palms, sabals (fan palms), haweas, tree ferns, banana trees, and magnificent medinillas. Some specimens are over 200 years old. The collection even contains flowers and plants that have disappeared from their original environment.

Maintenance and Restoration

The greenhouses require regular maintenance, and periodic restoration work has been undertaken to preserve their architectural and botanical significance. In 2022, the architect Francis Metzger, who restored the Grand Palais in Paris, will restore the greenhouse of the Winter Garden, the two annexes, and its surroundings. There had not been any major work on this building for 150 years. The project includes the installation of a ventilation system, the replacement of the glass tiles, and the replacement of the steel of the buttresses which move over time and with temperature changes.

Visiting Information 2024

While the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are part of the private estate of the Belgian royal family, they are usually opened to the public for a few weeks each spring. During this time, visitors have the opportunity to explore the beautiful architecture and admire the diverse plant collection.

This year, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are open to the public from 26 April until 20 May (closed on Mondays, except on the public holiday of 20 May). The ticket sale will start in early April.

Conclusion

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are not just a fantastic garden but also show how important they are to Belgium’s history and culture. If you plan to visit, check the official website Royal Greenhouses in Laeken | The Belgian Monarchy (monarchie.be) or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information on opening hours and any special events. I hope that this short post has been kind enough for you to travel to Europe in the spring to see this wonderful sight.