Botanical Garden in Zakopane

The Marian Raciborski Mountain Botanical Garden is part of the Tatra Field Station of the Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Zakopane. It is the smallest botanical garden in Poland, and its area is about 0.3 hectares.

What grows here

The collection includes about 600 species of Tatra plants from 290 genera and 72 families, among them 70 protected species, or about 18 per cent of Poland's protected flora. They include, among others, the lady's slipper orchid and spring gentians. The garden also carries out research on the adaptation of plants to altitude and runs a seed bank of endangered mountain species.

History of the garden

Alpine gardens existed in Zakopane from 1887 to 1953, set up by botanists including Marian Raciborski and Władysław Szafer. The present garden has operated since 1953, and received its name and status as a botanical garden in 1983.

After the Tatra flora it is worth moving on to Strążyska Valley or looking in at the Tatra Museum.

Practical information

• Educational section: Krupówki 10a. According to the institute's website, in the summer holiday period it is open from Tuesday to Thursday between 9:00 and 14:00, with free admission.
• Research section: Antałówka 13, entry by appointment only.
• Groups of more than 10 people should give notice at least two days in advance. Check the hours before your visit, because outside the holidays the garden is not open in the same way.