Gardens

Palm House in Wałbrzych (Lubiechów)

On the edge of Wałbrzych's Lubiechów district, at 158 Wrocławska Street and barely 1.8 km from Książ Castle, stands one of the oldest palm houses in Poland. It was built in 1911–1913 on the orders of Henry XV von Pless as the winter garden of Princess Daisy — plants were tended all year by gardeners brought from England.

Lava from Etna

The most unusual finishing element came all the way from Sicily: seven wagons of solidified lava from Mount Etna were used to build the cascades and tunnels, and the walls inside are covered with volcanic tuff. There is also a floral curiosity: in 1911 the gardener Peter Lambert bred, in Daisy's honour, the white Rose of Princess Pszczyna.

More than 250 species

Today over 250 species of plants from around the world grow on about 1,900 m², including tropical flora and unique specimens — some can be bought, among them bonsai. After the visit, the „Pod Tropikiem" café offers a place to rest.

In practice

In season Apr–Sep the palm house is open Mon–Fri 9:00 am–6:00 pm and weekends 9:00 am–7:00 pm; in winter it closes earlier: Mon–Fri 10:00 am–3:00 pm, weekends 10:00 am–4:00 pm. A standalone ticket costs PLN 19, reduced PLN 15; it is worth combining with Książ Castle — the combined ticket is PLN 49 (with the underground PLN 69). Current information: ksiaz.walbrzych.pl.