Where Hungary’s most beautiful flowers grow – Photo Gallery

The National Botanical Garden is a monument and a natural reserve, and the pride of Vácrátót. According to femina.hu, it has been the home of the beautiful treasures of nature for 180 years.

The botanical garden is under both monumental and natural protection, because it doesn’t only have precious flora and fauna, but also historic old buildings.

The arboretum’s first base, a landscape-garden was built in 1827. Small ponds and crooked paths characterised the 27 hectare area from the beginning. Later, under the direction of a head gardener, the area was turned into a sentimental landscape garden with water falls, water mills and rock tunnels that can still be seen today.

*The water mill – Photo: Wiki Commons By Texaner*

From the end of the 19^th century, it slowly became a dendrologic garden full of unique plant species. However, most of the castle and the garden perished in the world wars, during which soldiers camped in bunkers and tents in the invaluable garden.

The restoration started in 1952 with huge plant reproduction and the creation of four collection units. Today, the garden that is constantly renewed with modern solutions functions as a research centre, a collection and a visitors’ centre at the same time. During the long educational walks you get to see the beauties of nature and learn about the wonders of the flora.

The following photo gallery features some of the sights of Hungary’s richest arboretum.