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JU Botanical Garden has a new state-of-the-art greenhouse

JU Botanical Garden has a new state-of-the-art greenhouse

The construction of a new greenhouse in the JU Botanical Garden has recently been completed. The Victoria greenhouse complex had to be expanded because of a unique date palm grown there. The 150-year-old tree comes from the Canary Islands and is now recognised as a natural monument. The new greenhouse will be open to visitors from spring 2020.

The first greenhouse at Kopernika street, where the current Botanical Garden is located, was created in 1785. It was funded by Michał Poniatowski, brother of King Stanisław August Poniatowski. In the second half of the 19th century a date palm brought from Canary Islands was planted there. Currently, it is the most precious plant specimen of the Botanical Garden and the oldest one grown in a Europe under greenhouse conditions. The giant plant needed more space to live and grow.

The construction works started in mid-August last year. A temporary heated structure made of steel and plastic, where the palms could survive winter, was erected in place of the demolished old greenhouse. In the meantime, foundations were laid under the new greenhouse complex. The new pavilion is 21 metres high at its highest point, which is 7 metres more than in the case of the previous structure, built in the 1970s. The complex also includes a new winter greenhouse for the plants from warmer climates which are kept outdoors during summer. The style of the greenhouse visually resembles its predecessors that were part of the Botanical Garden in the 19th century and can be seen on prints from that period.

The greenhouse is fully automated and fitted with state-of-the-art insulation. The automated climate control system ensures the efficient use of energy and maintains proper temperature and humidity. Sliding blinds protect the plants from excessive light. The complex has been adapted to the needs of the disabled. The visually impaired visitors have access to tactile images and descriptions of selected plants.
The construction project, whose total value was 9 million zlotys, was funded from the EU  Regional Operational Programme for Małopolskie Voivodeship 2014-2020 as well as the Jagiellonian University’s own resources. Wodpol Company was the general contractor of the project.

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