At the Royal Greenhouses of Laken
On April 20th. 2023, I finally got the chance to visit the Royal
Greenhouses of Laken (near Brussels).
First we passed the Royal Palace of Laken, the family home of
King Philippe of the Belgians.
In the Royal Park of Laken, the Greenhouses are located.
Dark clouds above the Royal Greenhouses of Laken
History
The original gardens of the Royal Palace of Laeken date back to
the 18th century, but King Leopold II drastically changed their appearance.
the 18th century, but King Leopold II drastically changed their appearance.
The king, having visited the Crystal Palace at the Great Exhibition of
1851 in London, wanted such a progressive building in his palace's garden,
which would combine his love for plants with multifunctional spaces that
could also be used as a banquet, theatre and dining halls.
1851 in London, wanted such a progressive building in his palace's garden,
which would combine his love for plants with multifunctional spaces that
could also be used as a banquet, theatre and dining halls.
He commissioned his architect Alphonse Balat to create a greenhouse.
The inauguration took place in 1880, but the complex was also expanded
afterwards.
The inauguration took place in 1880, but the complex was also expanded
afterwards.
After Balat's death, Leopold called upon the architects Henri Maquet and
Charles Girault. The octagonal Palm Pavilion was furnished as a bedroom
and connected to the palace by a subterranean corridor where Leopold
received his mistresses.
Charles Girault. The octagonal Palm Pavilion was furnished as a bedroom
and connected to the palace by a subterranean corridor where Leopold
received his mistresses.
On 20 May 1880 the engagement of Archduke Rudolf of Austria and
Princess Stéphanie of Belgium took place in the Greenhouses of Laken.
Princess Stéphanie of Belgium took place in the Greenhouses of Laken.
Unfortunately this wedding was no success as we all know.
After the death of the king, in 1909, the greenhouses were preserved,
but the Iron Church was converted into a private royal bathing house.
but the Iron Church was converted into a private royal bathing house.
Nowadays
The Winter Garden at the palace in Laeken still serves as the
setting for royal receptions.
setting for royal receptions.
Queen Fabiola of Belgium (who was born in Spain) used to
pick oranges from the trees at the greenhouses in Laken.
pick oranges from the trees at the greenhouses in Laken.
The pictures for the 50th B-Day (2023) of Queen Mathilde
of the Belgians were taken at the Royal Park in Laken with on the
background the greenhouses.
of the Belgians were taken at the Royal Park in Laken with on the
background the greenhouses.
Every year in the spring, the greenhouses are partially opened
to the public for twenty days.
to the public for twenty days.
Famous visitors
* Pope John Paul II (1985)
* Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States (2001)
* Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States (2017)
* Brigitte Marcron (2017)
A visit
The Royal Greenhouses of Laken were open for public in 2023
between 14 April and 7 May. It can be reached by public transport
or by car. Before entering the domain there is a security check.
or by car. Before entering the domain there is a security check.
The tickets for the Royal Greenhouses are for sale for 5 EUR (in 2023)
and they have to be booked in advance!
and they have to be booked in advance!
That day we opted for the long tour which brought us first through the
royal park and then to the royal greenhouses.
royal park and then to the royal greenhouses.
Of course such an amazing visit gives lots of ideas for our own
garden.
garden.
So, if you like flowers, gardens, royals and history, this certainly is the place to be!
More information on this link .
own pictures taken on 20 April 2023
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