Palm House in Walbrzych

Medals available in the Palm House gift shop!

The Palm House in Wałbrzych was established on the initiative of the last representative of the Hochberg family at Książ Castle – Jan Henryk XV. The prince built it for his wife Maria Teresa Cornwallis-West, called Daisy, who was a lover of beautiful flowers and exotic plants. To this day, this expression of love and the largest “flower bouquet” continues to amaze – did you know it’s the only such facility in Poland preserved in its historical structure?

The construction of the palm house dates back to 1908-1911 (some sources suggest 1911-1914). This investment consumed the astronomical sum of 7 million gold marks. On an area of 1,900 square meters, besides the palm house, greenhouses, Japanese-style gardens, a rose garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, and an area for shrub cultivation were also built. The entire project was so enormous that it was called a horticultural establishment. Immediately after construction was completed, about 80 species of new plants were brought to the Wałbrzych Palm House.

Currently, the Wałbrzych Palm House grows over 250 plant species representing flora from various climate zones and continents. It’s worth seeing bamboo, ficus and shrubs from Asia; eucalyptus, spruce and pine trees from Australia; perennials from Africa; cacti and agaves from Central America; or citrus plants from the Mediterranean basin. For Far East enthusiasts, Poland’s only permanent Bonsai Exhibition should be a real treat. The palm house displays extraordinary specimens of these miniature trees that have been repeatedly awarded both domestically and internationally. This type of exhibition is a true attraction for visitors: the oldest bonsai in the collection is a 200-year-old juniper, and by presenting the trees in one place, we can observe the passing of four seasons in miniature form, corresponding to external conditions.