Liptovský Mikuláš

Liptovský Mikuláš is a small town in Northern Slovakia, just next to the Chopok mountain. It has something around thirty thousand inhabitants and is a perfect location for a short stroll on a winter night.

The history of Liptovský Mikuláš dates back a thousand years. In the Middle Ages it was granted several privileges, coming into force through parchments and great seals made of red wax.

Have you noticed something special? Yes, the name of the town is different there. In fact, the original name of the town was until 1952 Liptovský Svätý Mikuláš which means "Saint Nicolas of Liptau", where Liptau is the region in which it is located. So where is the Saint Nicolas? In the church of course.

The gothic church of St. Nicolas is one of the landmarks of the town. Inside you will immediately recognise the high arches on the ceiling.

The small organ is decorated with pictures of the twelve apostles.

The gothic altar is covered with gold and includes tall and pale figures. Am I the only one to see here a whole team of Maries?

Outside the church you will notice a monument. It is the monument of Janko Kráľ, a romantic poet, one of the first ones to write in modern Slovak language. He was also a patriotic activist in times where Slovakia did not exist as a country but was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Because Liptovský Mikuláš is an important place for the Slovak identity. Just look at this building.

Between 1713 and 1793 it was the capital of the Liptov region and this was the first County House.

But do not think that Liptovský Mikuláš is only living its past. They have public wifi all around the Town Hall.

The Town Hall is located, not surprisingly, on the Market Square.

As you can see, the building is nicely lit up with Christmas lights. So are the streets around it.

The only dark place is directly behind the Town Hall. This is a monument commemorating the soldiers of the Red Army. Soviet heritage is not valued high these days in Eastern Europe.

The snow has invaded the town.

So I propose that we stop here and order a good warm burger.

Botanical Garden in Warsaw

Hello everybody, it is Ralph again. Rick got a call from Aleksandra with whom he was in Canada and Helsinki. They are now on their way to a new country. Since I was already in Warsaw, he asked me to entertain you for a week or two.

* * *

I will take you today to the botanical garden of the Warsaw University. In May, Rick has taken you to another one, located next to Warsaw, in Powsin. But the one I will take you to is much older, it was founded in 1818.

Next to the main entrance you can see the Astronomical Observatory of the Warsaw University. It is pretty old as well, since it was founded in 1825. At that time it was one of the most advanced observatories in Europe.

After entering the garden you will immediately notice the sweet smell of roses.

They are here in all colours. A little tip at the beginning, if you want to learn more about a plant look for a little information card next to it. The card will show you the Polish name, the Latin name and the origins of the plant. A red tag indicates an endangered species.

In summer time, the garden is full of colourful plants. This part represents the species typically found in gardens in the Kurpie region.

One of the benefits of the fact that the garden exists already for 200 years is that it is the house of many very old trees. Like this beech ...

... or this maple. Looking at its size I can only guess it could give a swimming pool of maple syrup.

Talking of swimming pools. The garden includes a section dedicated to water plants, including my favourite water lilies.

You can also see here little lakes, covered with duckweed. I believe Rick has shown it to you in natural environment, in the Biebrza National Park.

And look, here come lilies again, this time in the ground not in water. I just love this smell.

With so many flowers, the garden is obviously the house of many hard working insects called apidae (or simply bees). To help them, people have created for them small houses where they can lay eggs. I know it does not look like a typical beehive. This is because most of these bees do not live in colonies. They also do not make honey.

This huge green plant in the middle is the biggest of this type in the world. It is called Gunnera manicata and can be higher than a man.

Personally I am not really fond of green plants, I prefer plants with flowers in vibrant colours, like these fuchsias.

Speaking of flowers. I was told at the entrance that in this part of the year, the greatest jewels of the garden are the dahlias. Here they are.

And even more over there.

In the old days people used to come to this garden to find rest and peace of mind. They could then meditate in this little temple.

Unfortunately the temple undergoes now as you see some refurbishment. So I propose we sit next to the fountain.

Let's enjoy the sunlight and think of all the magnificent dahlias blooming just for me and you.

Botanical Garden in Powsin

A! Spring is in the air! There is no better place to feel and see it in its full splendour than a botanical garden. So today, I will take you to Powsin to a garden created by the Polish Academy of Science.

It was created in 1974 and includes 40 hectares of beauty. The main theme of the garden is the protection of biodiversity. Therefore the garden includes a couple of clearly distinct parts.

Next to the main entrance you will see an alpine garden (also called rock garden).

It mainly includes green plants but not only.

Then comes a little river (there are frogs inside!). You can even enjoy crossing it by jumping on the rocks, one  by one (or missing some if you prefer).

Be careful not to step on the ants! They are an important part of the ecosystem.

Then come the greenhouses that shelter more exotic plants.

You can see there lemons ...

... and oranges.

You can admire the coffe plants of coffea arabica ...

... and real Chinese tea.

Here comes an olive tree, typical for the Mediterranean region.

And there you can admire the Angel Trumpets (or more scientifically - Brugmansia (Datura) x candida "Grand Marnier") ...

 ... and the Brasilian beauty of Brunfelsia calicyna.

Obviously, greenhouses with exotic plants must also include cactuses (or cacti actually). There are small ones ...

... big ones ...

... and even some that bloom! I like best the Euphorbia milii. 

And finally, of course, a palm tree. 

And then we will quickly jump into the arboretum so the part devoted to trees. The arboretum in Powsin is famous mainly for its magnolia trees. And the reason why we went there today is that the magnolias are now in blossom. The smell is incredible! There are many varieties of magnolias there. The white Magnolia ×soulangeana "Alba Superba", with a touch of pink at the bottom.

The pink Magnolia ×soulangeana "Lennei".

 
The deep purple Magnolia liliiflora "Susan".

And the supreme white beauty of Magnolia "Elizabeth".

The last part of the garden is dedicated to plants that grow in Polish mountains. There are even small mountains built to make you feel a bit like in the Tatras.

This is the sign you will see on a real trail.

There are small mountain brooks embeded in the hill.

As well as the mountain pines (pinus mugo).

Some smaller plants are present as well. So my dear friends from all over the world - who will pronounce "różeniec górski"?

Allright, it is time to take some rest now. We can sit in this nice litlle Chinese arbor.

And to enjoy springtime even more let's taste this fantastic cotton floss ...