The botanical garden in Liberec has completed the pavilion of water lilies

Liberec - The botanical garden in Liberec has a new pavilion of water lilies, which it has made accessible to the public today, about a month earlier than originally planned. Its construction cost 11.2 million crowns and three of the largest species of water lilies, including the rare royal Victoria, are already growing inside. This was stated today by the garden's director, Miloslav Studnička, after the ceremonial opening.
    The garden initially expected to open the pavilion around the end of July, once the plants had grown. However, the garden director was convinced that the pavilion is interesting to visitors even in its current state. "They are all small plants, and we are waiting for the water in the pool to mature, which is blooming with single-celled algae," the director described the current state.
    Over time, the new pavilion of the oldest Czech botanical garden will be dominated by giant royal Victorias, Cruz's Victoria, and also the little-known resilient euryale. "No other botanical garden in the Czech Republic cultivates (euryale). Its leaves have a diameter of 160 centimeters, which means it competes in size with Victoria and has beautifully patterned leaves," stated Studnička.
    According to him, not only the plants deserve admiration, but also the architecture of the pavilion, which complements the greenhouse complex built according to the design of architect Pavel Vaněček from 1995 to 2000. The arrangement of the complex resembles a grouping of plant cells and represents 13 botanical themes. Studnička is also enthusiastic about the materials. "There is, for example, flooring made of Bulgarian porphyry; the walkways are made of two types of tropical wood, which is noble material," he mentioned. The necessary microclimate is partly ensured by a concrete wall that acts as insulation against the cold from the north. Conversely, when the sun shines on it from the south, it acts as a thermal condenser. Visitors will not see the concrete gray for long, as it will be covered by vines. "They turn towards the sun; it will look like they are turning towards the visitors," Studnička said.
    It will also be attractive for visitors that the water level of the lily pond will be at the height of their waists. The pavilion has an information panel that speaks to visitors in four languages. "It is packed with information, many of which will surprise visitors as they are completely new," said Studnička.
    After 13 years, the pavilion is the first major construction in the area, which is visited by 50,000 people annually. The director does not plan any further constructions. "This is an optimal grouping. However, we want to complete the exhibition of wetland flora around the new pavilion," he added.
    The lily pavilion has been built by the Liberec city council as the owner of the garden with the help of European funding, with 85 percent of the costs being covered by the Integrated City Development Programme.