SK, Bratislava – Botanical Garden

The botanical garden is situated at the Lafraconi bridge, the first concrete bridge in Bratislava. It is near the Faculty of Nature Sciences or college dormitories. There is a car park in at the front entrance. A bus and a tram  stop are nearby. There is also a bike trail.

This popular place's history traces back to 1942. However, there actually was a botanical garden in  Bratislava  before. It was situated in the archbishop's palace, the Office of the Government of Slovakia. It was famous to be the very first building of its kind in former Hungary.

Let's get back to the botanical garden at the Danube. Go through the entrance gate. Then you step on a 7,5-hectare island. It is a home to 5000 plant species from all around the world. Little paths criss-crossing the island give you opportunity to explore interesting exhibitions such as a rosarium holding over 130 rose species, various kinds of decoration rocks (slate, andesite, basalt, granite, limestone, travertine), peatbogs,   seedbeds etc. There is also a Japanese garden, a collection of foreign and domestic woody plants, exterior water surfaces crowded with fish and frogs.

Greenhouses are also interesting. There are tropical and subtropical plants originating in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. The rarest plants there are Araucaria, Cycas, and the prehistoric Wollemia nobilis. The latter was discovere in Australia in 1994. Very interesting is the collection of cactuses and succulents. There are also lakes covered with blossoming lotuses. The only thing which we didn't like was the condition of the greenhouses. They seem quite spooky as they are in poor condition. Still, what they hold inside is fascinating.

Regular events, exhibitions, concerts give you opportunity to enjoy nature and learn something new. There are wedding photo sesions often. Don't be surprised when you see a bride here and there. The garden is open from April 1 until October 31. There is a snack bar at the garden.

The garden popularizes botanics but there also happens research. Therefore, it hardly comes as surprise that the garden belongs to Comenius University, Bratislava. What happens here is expert acclimatization of different plant species, their reproduction, and expanding of collections, plant seed exchange with 530 botanical gardens across the globe, and expert advice services for the public. Another lab of the botanical garden is situated in Blatnice and one more in Stupava.

In case you plan a family trip or you intend to learn about something new then we can only recommend you to visit the garden. To spent time there is to be in beautiful nature for hours. You will walk through entire world, see plants and forget your everyday worries for a while.

GPS: 48°08'50.5"N 17°04'21.3"E

Text a foto: Oskár Mažgút