Tulip extravaganza in Keukenhof park. Keukenhof - royal flower park

The Dutch Keukenhof Park is called the most beautiful spring park in the world. For his sake, 1.5 million tourists come to the Netherlands and everyone, without exception, stays in absolutely delighted. Best time to visit Keukenhof park, how to buy tickets and get there. Where to watch the Bloemencorso flower parade. Photos of the tulip park and video of the flower parade.

Keukenhof park in Holland

Keukenhof Park 2020

• Opening date March 21, 2020.
• Open daily from March 21 to May 10.
• The theme of the new season is A World of Colors.
• The flower parade will take place on April 25, 2020.

Tickets to Keukenhof Park 2020

Where to stay near Keukenhof park

Stay close to Keukenhof so you can enjoy the park before the main crowd arrives and don't have to rush out in the evening. Even 1-2 nights in a hotel outside of Amsterdam will immerse you in a more relaxing environment and save money on your stay. Look for overnight accommodation in Lisse, Leiden or Haarlem.

Hotels near Keukenhof Park

• Lisse hotels - walk to Keukenhof
• Leiden hotels – 19 km to Keukenhof
• Haarlem hotels – historical city near Amsterdam

How to get to Keukenhof Park

Keukenhof Park is located in the Netherlands in the town of Lisse between Amsterdam and The Hague.

By car

By car from Amsterdam, 40 km along the A4 highway, exit at N207 Nieuw-Vennep. Parking at the park entrance €6 per day, free for bicycles and mopeds.

Guided tour + transfer to and from the park

Learn the essentials about Amsterdam and visit the spring tulip exhibition in Keukenhof on a popular excursion that has received grateful reviews from tourists.

By public transport

Public transport runs to Keukenhof from Amsterdam, Leiden and Haarlem.

• Amsterdam-Keukenhof: bus 858 “Keukenhof Express” departs from Schiphol airport every 10-15 minutes, stop opposite arrivals area 4, travel time 20-30 minutes. From the center of Amsterdam you can get to the airport by bus 397 “Amsterdam Airport Express” (stops Leidseplein and Museumplein) or by train from Central Station.
• Leiden-Keukenhof: bus 854
• Haarlem-Keukenhof: bus 50

History of Keukenhof Park

In the 15th century, Keukenhof was a small garden around the castle of Countess Jacoba van Beieren, where herbs and vegetables for the kitchen were grown. This is where the name "Keukenhof" - kitchen garden - comes from. In 1865, landscape architect Jan Zocher and his son Louis, commissioned by the next owners of the estate, Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt, created a new design in the English style. This layout is the basis of the modern Keukenhof park, which opened to the public in 1950.

Keukenhof's main mission then and now is to present the possibilities of the Dutch flower sector - one of the leading sectors of the country's economy. Buyers can appreciate the full variety of flower bulbs from leading suppliers, and ordinary visitors can plunge into the world of flowers and beauty.

Dutch Keukenhof Park in numbers

• 32 hectares of park territory
• 7 million colors 1600 varieties
• 2500 trees of 87 species
• 15 km of walking paths
• 280 benches
• 15 fountains
• 32 bridges
• 4 pavilions

Tour of the Keukenhof Park

A tour of the park takes about 4 hours. Many visitors spend the whole day here and return the next. We walked in the park in 2 sessions: in the morning and in the evening, breaking for a flower parade. Grab a free one at the door. The visitor center sells a park guide—more than 80 pages with photos, pull-outs, tear-off postcards, and a bookmark.

You are not allowed to ride bicycles or other types of mechanical or automobile transport in the park, except for wheelchairs, which are provided free of charge. Dogs on a leash are allowed. Full information on the official website of Keukenhof Park.

Depending on the time of visit, there may be a lot of visitors in the park. In some areas, people walk behind each other and wait for their turn to be photographed. Most visitors are in the pavilions, at the mill and in specially designed places (on bridges, near sculptures, in themed gardens).

Each season of Keukenhof has a different theme. In 2018 it was called Romance in flowers. 7 themed gardens are designed to inspire visitors to create their own garden and home design. I liked the garden with the famous blue and white Delft porcelain. In the Historical Garden you can see how the culture of growing tulips in Holland developed over 400 years.

Flower shows and exhibitions

Flower shows and exhibitions are held in pavilions located in different parts of the park:

• Juliana - tulip mania
• Oranje Nassau – flower arrangements (floristry)
• Beatrix - orchids
• Willem-Alexander - lilies

Mill Keukenhof

The Keukenhof mill is over 120 years old, built in Groningen and moved to the park in 1957. Upstairs observation deck. We didn’t stand in a long line during the day, but returned in the evening when it was free.

Fun for kids at Keukenhof

There is a lot of interesting things for children in Keukenhof Park: a petting zoo, a playground, and the house of the fairy-tale rabbit Miffy. At the information center you can take a quest around the park and then receive a small gift for completing it.

Nutrition

Keukenhof Park has 6 restaurants with different themes and mobile food outlets. You can bring your own food and have a picnic. A large picnic area is located opposite the Willem-Alexander Pavilion. Bring a blanket if you want to sit on the grass.

The Wilhelmina and Irene pavilions have seating areas with a café and toilets.

Souvenirs from Keukenhof

The most popular souvenirs from Keukenhof: multi-colored wooden tulips in vases made of Delft porcelain and without, tulip and hyacinth bulbs. Souvenirs are sold in the pavilions.

Tulip fields

Around Keukenhof Park there are tulip fields, which are best explored by bicycle. Bicycle rental €10 per day, including route map.

The “Wisper boat” departs from the mill and rides for 45 minutes along the canal between the tulip fields. Spectacular views are guaranteed on a helicopter tour over the Keukenhof fields and the Dutch coastline.

Keukenhof Castle

How to get to Keukenhof Park?

By car, by public transport, transfer Amsterdam-Keukenhof

When does Keukenhof 2020 open?

What are the opening hours of Keukenhof Park?

Opening hours are from 08:00 to 19:30.

Excursion to Keukenhof Tulip Park 2020, Netherlands. How to get to the park, how much entrance tickets cost and where to buy them. Photos and reviews.

Our visitors are wondering: is it worth going on an excursion to Keukenhof? The answer is definitely yes! After all, the Netherlands is not called the kingdom of tulips for nothing. To verify this, just visit the royal tulip park Keukenhof in the spring. It is the most famous flower park in Europe.

Tulips have long become a symbol of this Western European country. It is known that in the 17th century they were exposed to a virus, thanks to which about 100 varieties were born. This inspired the Netherlands to become the main “passion” of his life. Today, daffodils and tulips in Holland are not particularly surprising, since flowering fields are everywhere here. However, there is a special place in the country - this is, of course, Keukenhof Park.

Its visitors are amazed by the abundance of colors. Located near Amsterdam, Keukenhof occupies more than 32 hectares of beautiful gardens. The center of this splendor is decorated with a pond inhabited by swans and other waterfowl. Approximately 900 thousand people visit it annually.

The park is surrounded by tulip fields. More than 4.5 ml of plants create a feeling of limitlessness - it seems that you are in flower heaven. Nearest locality- the Dutch city of Lisse is experiencing its annual “finest hour” during this period. Its few hotels are booked to capacity.

Keukenhof Park: historical facts

IN modern form Keukenhof Park was first opened in 1949. Then it became the venue for a flower exhibition, which later became an annual event. It was conceived as a small town, whose residents were supposed to grow agricultural plants. The name “Keukenhof” has been preserved since the 15th century (translated from Dutch it means “kitchen yard”). At this time, the lands of Countess Jacobi von Bayeren were located there, for whom the plants were grown.

Pond in the heart of Keukenhof (Netherlands)

Keukenhof is not only tulips, but also the kingdom of hyacinths!

Holland collects huge profits in spring!

Tulips in Keukenhof occupy a leading position

Every year, gardeners plant about 7 million bulbs of various varieties of tulips, as well as hyacinths and daffodils on these plantations. And all for the sake of being seen by a huge number of people within two months. The shades of the colors are so unusual that you can’t help but call the captured frames “portraits.” Their “faces” seem sometimes cunning, sometimes proud, sometimes flirtatious, and sometimes even shy.

It is impossible to pass by the terry tulips. After all, they smell like roses! And I want to sit close and inhale this enchanting floral aroma.

Cost and opening hours of Keukenhof 2019

The official website of Keukenhof has already announced the blooming period of the park in 2020. Guests are expected from March 22 until May 13. If you dream of seeing tulips in their juice, choose the golden mean - April 2020. Despite the short period of work (only 8 weeks), Keukenhof, as always, is planned to be visited by thousands of tourists from different countries.

Visiting hours at Keukenhof Park are limited from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., daily, seven days a week. If you have a choice, you should plan to immerse yourself in the world of flowers. weekdays. Attendance is noticeably decreasing these days. It is better to arrive in the morning to take a longer walk along the lawns and alleys, pavilions and fields.

When planning a trip, you need to familiarize yourself with the prices for entrance tickets. So, adults can admire the tulips for 16 euros, children aged 4-11 years for half that amount, admission for children (under 3 years old) is free. You can purchase tickets to Keukenhof directly in front of the park entrance. Also in some cities in Holland - for example, Amsterdam and The Hague. Or, what is even more convenient for foreign travelers, using global network services.

* There is a rule on the site early booking. You can also save money by purchasing air tickets to Amsterdam in advance. That is, the sooner you plan your trip, the cheaper it will be in the end.

The question is often asked: is it possible to travel to Keukenhove from Amsterdam (and sometimes) there and back in one day?

It is possible, of course, and most often they do so. You need to spend at least 3 hours for the walk, but this time will not be enough for true connoisseurs of beauty. Ideally, it is better to go to the city of Lisse with an overnight stay. Devote a whole day to Keukenhof and be surprised to discover that just a few kilometers away sea ​​coast. It is very difficult to return from such a place to noisy Amsterdam!

How to get to Keukenhof: options

The park is located at Stationsweg 166a, 2161 AM Lisse, Holland. And there are several ways to get to Keukenhof:

• By train or regular bus. You can get to the Tulip Park by public transport. To do this, from any city you need to drive to the central railway station in Leiden, then take a bus ticket to the park. This route will cost the traveler 2-3 euros less.
• By excursion bus. The easiest way to visit Keukenhof in 2020 is (60€ per person, group up to 15 people). The price includes transfer to the city of Lisse and back + entrance tickets to the park + excursion support during the trip. In short, on the way they will talk in detail about Keukenhof itself, about tulips and the Dutch love for these flowers. They will show you where you are and tell you how to spend your time (5 hours).
• By car. From The Hague, take the A44 to exit 3, then take road no. 208 to Lisse. If coming from Amsterdam or Rotterdam, take the A4 motorway and Exit 4.

Finding your way to Keukenhof Park during its opening period will not be difficult, even if you are visiting it for the first time. All roads in the Netherlands lead there at this time. To help them, many signs have been created that will prevent them from getting lost. As a last resort, you can contact local residents - they will be happy to help!

Keukenhof - hotels in the park area

If you are lucky enough to be in the Netherlands from the end of March to the beginning of May, do not regret 1-2 days walking around Keukenhof. You can book a hotel both in Amsterdam and in the town of Lisse itself, where the park is located.

#1. Where to stay in Lisse

To explore the park in detail, it is preferable to stay in Lissa - the city where the largest number of tulip bulbs are grown in the country!

Hotel Restaurant & Casino De Nachtegaal. The four-star hotel is popular because it is located 2 km from the main entrance to Keukenhof. Some rooms offer views of the blooming tulip fields, because the park is huge! Cost from 3,600 rub.

Hotel de duif Lisse - Schiphol. This hotel is also booked mainly for Keukenhof; it is located even closer to the park than the first option. But the center of Lisse is just a stone's throw from here. All amenities are available, including free parking. One minus is that rooms are booked here even more actively. Price from 2,500 rub.

#2. To Keukenhof from Amsterdam

If the city of Lisse does not suit you for various reasons, it would be wise to stop in Amsterdam and take a day trip to Keukenhof:

Avenue Hotel. An inexpensive 3-star hotel by the standards of the center of Amsterdam. Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds is a 5-minute walk. Good rooms and breakfast, there is parking and, of course, wi-fi. From 4,000 rub. per room.

The Bridge Hotel. Cool hotel with a view of Amstel. 5 minutes from Rembrandt Square and Waterloo. Wonderful staff, beautiful rooms and delicious breakfasts. Your vacation will definitely be beautiful - the place is gorgeous!

Cheap hotels in Amsterdam: The Bridge Hotel

Mr. Jordaan. Design hotel in Amsterdam with only 34 rooms in a historic building. Located in the very center, close to Dam Square and the train station. Therefore, getting to Keukenhof will be easy. Price from 6,000 rub. per room.

Leisure in Keukenhof - food and walks

There are restaurants on the territory of Keukenhof where you can relax and refresh yourself. However, more than 500 gardens rarely provide an opportunity to tear yourself away from this beauty. Just imagine, you are surrounded by a sea of ​​flowers, bright colors and aromas. Thanks to the fact that about 87 different tree species grow there, the air is filled with ringing purity.

Keukenhof Park is a place where life slows down, forcing you to stop and look at the beauty of nature. Delicate tulips leave an indelible mark on a person’s soul. Having been there once, you want to come back again and again.

Excursions in Amsterdam at the best prices

The most interesting excursions in Amsterdam - routes from local residents. Sightseeing, historical, gastronomic, quests and trips out of town - choose from 40 options. The guides will tell you how to spend your time and where you can save money.

Keukenhof (Kitchen Park) is a royal flower park in the Netherlands. The park is also known as the Garden of Europe. In 2019, Keukenhof will be open daily from March 21 to May 19, seven days a week, from 08:00 to 19:30.

Keukenhof Park is located near Amsterdam, in the town of Lisse, and occupies more than 32 hectares of beautiful gardens: up to 7 million plants (of which about 4.5 million are tulips, as well as 100 different varieties of “bulbs”, such as hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils, hazel grouse , muscari) and about 90 species of trees create a feeling of limitlessness, a feeling of being in a flower paradise.

This splendor of flowers is created by 100 participating companies that show their live catalogue. 500 flower growers present a huge variety of cut flowers and potted plants at more than 20 flower shows. And the main flower parade in 2019 is planned to be held on April 13.

The park consists of three greenhouses: the Willem-Alexander Pavilion, where lilies, amaryllis, hyacinths, hydrangeas, potted plants and bulbous flowers in pots bloom. The second pavilion (Oranje Nassau), which contains freesias, gerberas, roses, tulips, irises, alstroemerias, daffodils, chrysanthemums, callas and carnations. The third Beatrix pavilion, with orchids, is the personal pavilion of the Princess of the Netherlands. Located in the northern part of the park, near the mill.

In the center of the park there is a pond inhabited by swans and other waterfowl. The total length of all footpaths is about 15 km. Along the paths there are sculptures of foreign and Dutch masters from different eras: Koning, Kervel, Vermeer, Bruning, Alexander Taratynov.

On the territory of the park there is large number lakes, ponds, waterfalls, streams, canals. Most of them are accessible by boats. More than 40 bridges and bridges connect the shores of lakes and canals. The park also features: a pet farm, a “Royal Hats” pavilion, an English tea pavilion, a children’s entertainment complex “Bollebozen”, restaurants, cafes, and parking. On average, a walk through the park takes at least 3 hours, but for lovers of flowers and beauty this time will not be enough.

About 900 thousand people visit Keukenhof Park every year. Therefore, those who do not like large crowds are recommended to visit the park before 11:00 and after 15:00, when the park is less visited. This time is also recommended for photographers, when the light of the morning and evening sun allows you to take wonderful photographs. On days of the week, the park is less visited from Monday to Wednesday.

From the history of Keukenhof Park

It is known that in the 15th century there were forests and sand dunes in this area. The lands belonged to the Countess of Gennegau, Ostensibly of Bavaria (Jacoba van Beieren (1401-1436)). The surrounding forest served as a source of game, mushrooms, berries and medicinal herbs, and the area near the castle was used to grow fruits, herbs and herbs for the kitchen. This is where the name “Keukenhof” comes from, which is translated from Dutch as “Kitchen Yard”.

Keukenhof was built in 1641, and the area around it exceeded 200 hectares. In 1857, Baron Van Pallandt commissioned the landscape architect Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher to design the area around the castle. When laying out the park, the classical principles of English park construction were used. This park, in the English landscape style, still forms the basis of Keukenhof.

In 1949, a group of 20 leading flower bulb growers and exporters developed a plan to use the estate to display spring-blooming bulbs. The park opened to the public the following year, 1950, and was a great success, with 236,000 visitors that year alone. Over the past 69 years, Keukenhof has become a world-famous attraction.

It is worth mentioning separately the mill located in the park. It was built in 1892 in the city of Groningen and was originally intended to pump water from low-lying areas of the coast. In 1957, the Holland American Line bought the mill and donated it to Keukenhof Park. The mill was renovated in 2008 and now serves as a museum under open air, where everyone can observe the internal structure of a classic Dutch mill

In 2018, the cost of tickets to the park itself was: For adults – € 18; for children from 4 to 11 years old – € 8. For children under 3 years old – free

How to get to the park from Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam, Keukenhof can be reached by public transport (bus or train), shuttle bus, car, or organized excursion.
By public transport.

Connexxion bus no. 397 stops at Leidseplein, Museumplein and near the Rijksmuseum) to Schiphol Airport, where you need to change to bus no. 858 (departs from Arrivals 4, near Starbucks). which goes to the park.
The journey from Schiphol to Keukenhof takes approximately 30 minutes, but there are often queues at the entrance to the parking area near Keukenhof.

From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by direct shuttle bus (six times a day from the center of Amsterdam (address Damrak 26). Tickets cost 39 euros (entrance to the park is included in this price).
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by train. 1. take the train to Leiden (Leiden Centraal), where you take bus number 854 to Keukenhof (directly to the entrance to the park). 2. get to Sassenheim station. Take bus number 50 in the direction of Lisse. Get off at the Vreewijk, Lisse stop (it is not the final stop) and walk to the park (7-10 minutes).

The journey costs approximately 25 euros and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by car
The address of Keukenhof Park, indicate in the navigator - Stationsweg 166A 2161 AM Lisse, the Netherlands. The distance from the center of Amsterdam to Keukenhof is about 40 km. But there may be traffic jams at the entrance to the park. The cost of parking near Keukenhof is € 6 per day.

Keukenhof is a royal flower park in the Netherlands. Also known as the Garden of Europe. Located almost on the coast between Amsterdam and The Hague in small town Lisse. Every year the park is open to visitors from approximately the 20th of March to the 20th of May.

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52.268151 , 4.543662 Keukenhof Park Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Nederland (Calculate route)

The history of Keukenhof Park dates back to the 15th century. At that time, this territory was completely covered with forests and sand dunes and served as hunting grounds. These lands were the estate of Countess Gennegau of Ostensibly Bavarian. For the inhabitants of the castle, which was built at this time, and the ruins of which can still be seen today, the surrounding forest was a source of game, mushrooms, berries, and medicinal herbs. The area near the castle was used to grow herbs and herbs for the kitchen. This is where the name "Keukenhof" comes from - from the Dutch meaning "Kitchen Yard".

In the 19th century, Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt commissioned a landscape architect and his son to design the area around the castle. The foundation of the Keukenhof park lands began in 1857. In this case, the classical principles of English park construction were used.

The idea of ​​creating amusement park flowers, while also generating profit from sales, appeared among flower producers and exporters in the 1940s. It was decided to create a visual exhibition for the flower trade. They began to grow not only tulips, but also daffodils, hyacinths, and Japanese sakura. The park was introduced to the world in 1949, when entrepreneurs and exporters of bulbous flowers organized an open-air flower exhibition here.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the ancient mill, which is located on the territory of the park. It was built in 1892 in the Dutch city of Groningen. The original purpose was to use the mill to pump water from a polder (a drained and cultivated low-lying area of ​​the coast).

In 1957, Holland American Line bought this mill and donated it to Keukenhof, where restoration work was carried out on it in 2008. Since then, it has been located in the park as an open-air museum, and everyone can observe the internal structure of a classic Dutch mill.

Keukenhof Park, located on 32 hectares of land. About 7 million bulbous plants (hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils, hazel grouse, muscari). Of these, there are about 4.5 million tulips of 100 different varieties. About 90 species of trees.

On the territory of Keukenhof Park there are a large number of lakes, ponds, waterfalls, streams, and canals. Most of them are accessible by boats.

More than 40 bridges and bridges connect the shores of lakes and canals.

The total length of all pedestrian paths is about 15 km.

Keukenhof Park is also famous for its sculptures that harmoniously fit into the floral ensemble. Initially these were temporary exhibitions, but over time the exhibits remained here forever.

The most famous sculptors: Nick Jonk, Andre Volten, Carlo van Kervel and Jan Wolkers.

The park also features: a pet farm, the Royal Hats pavilion, the English tea pavilion, the Bollebozen children's entertainment complex, restaurants, cafes, and parking.

The park consists of three greenhouses:

Willem-Alexander Pavilion - amaryllis, hyacinths, hydrangeas, lilies, potted plants and bulbous flowers in pots.

Oranje Nassau Pavilion - freesias, gerberas, roses, ulpans, irises, alstroemerias, daffodils, chrysanthemums, callas and carnations.

The Beatrix Pavilion is the personal pavilion of the Princess of the Netherlands. Located in the northernmost part of the park, near the mill. It houses exhibitions of orchids.

Every year, depending on many natural factors that no computer can calculate in advance, the landscape picture embedded in the designer’s mind appears in a new light. Species and varieties of bulbous plants bloom and fade at different times, creating a unique landscape. Every year the designers try to create a new exhibition, a new combination and a new feeling of Keukenhof.

The biggest intrigue every year is the theme of the flower exhibition expositions. In 2014 it was “Holland – the land of onions”.

In 2015, the theme of the exhibition was “Van Gogh”, celebrating 125 years since the death of the great artist.

The theme for 2016 will be the Golden Age. The 17th century is called the Golden Age of Holland. It became truly golden for this country and its inhabitants, and was very rich in all sorts of events. The East India and West Indies were founded here. trading companies, Holland held the lead in world maritime trade, owning the largest fleet and began colonization North America. Holland won the 80-year war of independence with Spain, and the Dutch Revolution took place. Dutch merchants became fabulously rich. And, of course, this was the time of the highest growth in art and science in Holland.

On a huge panel, a given picture is carefully “drawn” using all kinds of bulbs. “Onion gnomes” – muscari, which are planted in the thousands, help to recreate the picture down to the smallest detail.

The tulip is one of the symbols of Holland. It is not surprising that this flower played an important role in the history of this country. Having arrived in Europe in the 16th century, by the 17th century the tulip became not just a symbol of wealth, but was the cause of a phenomenon that acquired epidemic proportions of a kind of madness, later called “tulip mania,” fabulously enriching some and simultaneously ruining others, breaking their destinies forever. Once upon a time, a rich mansion on one of the canals in the center of Amsterdam could be exchanged for a tulip bulb. And now the flower business is one of the main ones in Holland, however, nowadays everyone can afford to buy once priceless bulbs.

In the small Dutch town of Lisse, which is located between Amsterdam and The Hague, there is one of the most famous and amazing attractions of the Netherlands - the Royal Keukenhof Tulip Park. Our correspondent Grigory Bedenko shares his impressions and very beautiful photographs of spring flowers that have become a symbol of the country.

People in the Netherlands love flowers. Especially tulips, which have become a kind of national symbol. Today, the bulbs of these plants are supplied for cultivation to almost all countries of the world where landscape design. And in Holland itself there are dozens of agricultural firms that earn hundreds of millions of euros from the tulip business.

But why did these flowers become so actively cultivated here? The history of Dutch tulips is absolutely amazing. They were brought here from Turkey by sailors of the East India Company in the middle of the 16th century. At that time, the Dutch economy was booming, and tulips of various shades became collectibles for the local aristocracy.

However, after several decades, something unimaginable began to happen to the flowers that local peasants grew for the rich - the plants were cultivated from the same bulbs from year to year, but they began to change color. One of the most common transformations was the appearance of stripes of various shades on the petals. Only in the 20th century did scientists find out that this was the result of a viral disease of flowers that were moved to an unusual climatic zone.

The owner of a single tulip bulb could become the owner of a new, unique variety that would cost a lot of money on the tulip market. In 1612 (!), the Florilegium catalog with drawings of 100 varieties of tulips was published in Amsterdam. A bulb of the rare variety Semper Augustus cost up to 4,600 florins in 1634-1636. For comparison: 30 florins were given for a pig, 100 for a cow. Tulips in Holland, without exaggeration, became gold.

Things got to the point where a kind of stock market appeared in the tulip business. And this is in the 17th century! Special illustrated catalogs were published with detailed description flower and the starting price for it.

Merchants could buy these virtual flowers and resell them without even holding them in their hands. In many cities of Holland there were tulip exchanges, called colleges, where, in fact, gold was exchanged for flowers that existed only on paper and in the imagination of brokers. Such boards were quite fun - local taverns were used as premises, where drinks flowed like a river.

Interestingly, prices for tulips did not decrease even during the plague epidemic that struck Europe in 1636, when many peasants were left without a livelihood.

But, as one would expect, the strict laws of the market worked in the case of the main symbol of Holland - the tulip bubble eventually burst. Around the middle of the 17th century, that is, 100 years after the appearance of tulips in Europe, the most active speculators of the tulip market felt that the demand for them was beginning to fall and provoked panic.

Those who did not react to this in time were subsequently forced to buy bulbs for huge sums of money. And, as a rule, having paid in gold, they could no longer resell them. The bursting of the financial bubble made some poor and others very rich.

Everything that happened in the 16th-17th centuries with tulips in Holland had such a strong impact on the culture and economy of this country that it changed it forever. And today the tulip remains not only a symbol, but also one of the main components of the agricultural economy and exports.

Interestingly, tulips bloom in Holland for a very short period of the year, from about the twentieth of March to the twentieth of May. Keukenhof Park is open during the same period. All other months of the year it is closed. Therefore, if you go to Holland for tulips, it is best in the spring, somewhere in mid-April.

Keukenhof is translated from Dutch as “kitchen park”. It is also known as the Garden of Europe. In addition to tulips, you can find other garden flowers here, for example, daffodils of various types. The park is located on 32 hectares of land and is surrounded by tulip fields.

In total, about 7 million tulips of one hundred (!) different species are planted in the park. In the center of the park there is a large pond where swans and other waterfowl live.

Here you can find tulips of completely unimaginable shapes and colors. Sometimes you need to look at flowers for a long time to understand that it is a tulip and not some other flower. What a virus did to Dutch tulips in the 16th century became fertile ground for the inventions of modern breeders.

In addition to landscaped meadows, the park also has three large greenhouses where daffodils, crocuses, lilacs, roses and even orchids are grown. There are many trees in the park, the air here is clean and filled with the aromas of flowers.

Keukenhof appeared in 1840. It was designed by the Dutch architect David Jan Zocher. Even earlier, in the pre-tulip era, in the 15th century, the rich Countess Jacob van Bayeren lived in these places, who issued an order for the construction small town, whose residents had to take care agriculture, in particular, growing greens. According to Zocher's project, the park was planned and created in the English style - with ponds, fountains and large clearings where you could play golf.

Today, hundreds of landscape designers carefully monitor that everything is as Zocher intended. Tulips are quite delicate flowers and require constant attention. Every morning in the park, lawns are carefully mowed, flower meadows are watered, and fallen leaves from trees are removed.

Keukenhof has been awarded a huge number of various prizes and awards. Today it is the largest park of bulbous plants in the world; it has no analogues anywhere. There is even a kind of Walk of Fame in the park. Tulips named after famous personalities, including fairy-tale characters, grow here. For example, you can see the varieties “Vladimir Putin”, “Aishwarya Rai”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Mickey Mouse”.

The culmination of the tourist season in Keukenhof Park is the flower parade (Bloemencorso Bollenstreek), where they decorate the figures of various fairy-tale characters. Keukenhof is visited annually by up to 800 thousand tourists from around the world. The park has its own website. It's best to come here when it opens - at 8:00 am.

There are few people here in the morning, and besides, the light is best for photographing flowers. You can get to the park from Schiphol Airport by special shuttle bus route 858. A round-trip ticket costs 9 euros. Buses run every 15 minutes. The journey from the airport to the park takes approximately 40 minutes. Entrance ticket the park costs 15 euros per adult. For this money you can walk all day if you have enough strength!