After years of renovation, the Plant Palace at the Meise Botanical gardens reopened on Sunday. Flemish Ministers Philippe Muyters and Ben Weyts were present. The gardens will celebrate the reopening of what is now one of the biggest public greenhouse complexes in Europe over the next nine weeks.
This renovation is a big step forward and the first successful stage of the Meise Botanical garden's plan. It includes a complete renovation of the grounds and buildings between now and 2026.
The 10,000 specie strong collection of tropical and subtropical plants now has a new home at the Plant Palace. Themed gardens will be created, along with two visitor’s centres. The work will include the construction of a new greenhouse installation for research and conservation, and a wood museum.
“Flanders has invested at least 100 million euros in making Meise the best Botanical gardens in Europe, as well as a tourist attraction and an international scientific reference”, says Philippe Muyters, the Flemish Science Minister.
“Every Sunday from the 24th of September to the 26th of November, there will be a tropical atmosphere and temperature at the Plant Palace”, promises Steven Dessein, the Botanical garden’s general administrator. “As well as African appetizers and South American music, we will be able to offer you the entire tropics”, he says. He promises visitors an “ardent” autumn.
(Source: Belga)
