Keukenhof

Keukenhof is the royal flower park in the Netherlands, and it is also sometimes called the Garden of Europe. A garden is being built in a town called Liss. The park is famous for the fact that almost 5 million tulips of more than a hundred varieties have been planted on 32 hectares.

Keukenhof Park has a rich history. Previously, these places were the hunting grounds of the Counts of Bayern, there were many medicinal and not only herbs used as a seasoning for food in the count's kitchen. Hence the name Keukenhof Park, which translates as "kitchen garden". About two centuries ago, the famous landscape architect Jan David Zoher, who had previously built the Vondel Park in Amsterdam, was invited to the castle. Jan designed the foundation for the park, where in 1949 Mayor Lisse and ten other tulip bulb sellers decided to organize an open-air flower exhibition. They liked the exhibition so much that they began to hold it every year at the Keukenhof estate.

In the three greenhouses of the Keukenhof Garden, you can find various combinations of flowers with tulips. In one, tulips are planted with daffodils and lilac bushes, in another with beautiful scarlet roses, in the third, tulips are combined with stunning orchids. There are paths throughout the park, with a total length of 15 km. Sculptures made by famous sculptors can be seen near the park alleys. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is the patron saint of this park, and she also has her own flower pavilion, which is open to all visitors every year.

You can sail through the Keukenhof Park by boat with an electric motor, such an engine does not harm nature and does not create a lot of noise. It's easy to get lost in Keukenhof, so you need to use the signs and take a booklet at the entrance. In the booklet you can find background information, a park plan with a description and advice from gardeners.

The Keukenhof is open to visitors only from about March 20th to the end of May. And at the end of April, the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade is held. Its huge flower fields attract millions of tourists, and almost 50 million visitors have visited it since the organization of flower exhibitions.