Palm House in Wałbrzych

The Palm House in Wałbrzych stands on Wrocławska Street, near Książ Castle. It is a 20th-century winter garden in which several hundred plant species from various climate zones grow beneath a glass roof, and its interior walls are lined with volcanic tuff brought in from Etna.

A winter garden for a prince

The Palm House was built between 1911 and 1913 as a winter garden for Prince Hans Heinrich XV von Pless, then the owner of the nearby Książ Castle. Since 3 August 1994 the building has been listed on the heritage register.

Tuff from Etna on the walls

A characteristic feature of the interior is the walls lined with volcanic tuff brought all the way from Etna in Sicily. This material gives the Palm House a raw, rocky appearance, contrasting with the lush vegetation growing beneath the glass roof.

Over 250 plant species and a bonsai exhibition

The Palm House is home to over 250 plant species from various climate zones of the world. A separate attraction is the permanent bonsai exhibition, which includes specimens as old as 200 years.

Café and plant shop

On site there is the Pod Tropikiem café and a plant shop, so a visit can be combined with a rest and buying seedlings to take home.

Practical information

• Address: Wrocławska 158, Wałbrzych.
• Visits are self-guided, without a tour guide.
• Opening hours vary from day to day, so it is worth checking the current schedule on the venue's website before a visit.
• On site there is the Pod Tropikiem café and a plant shop.
• Nearby, one to two kilometres away, are Książ Castle and Old Książ Castle.
• Further afield it is worth visiting the Stara Kopalnia Science and Art Centre and the Henryk Wieniawski Spa Park in Szczawno-Zdrój.