Home World News Developed Economies World's biggest glass house reopens after renovation works
World's biggest glass house reopens after renovation works
xinhuanet.com
Britain's famous Kew Gardens Saturday reopened its spectacular Temperate House, the world's largest Victorian glasshouse after completing the largest restoration project in its entire history, costing more than 55 million U.S. dollars.
Reopening the doors of the vast glasshouse revealed 10,000 breath-taking plants, making the magnificent structure a true jewel in Kew's crown, described as an architectural wonder and a haven for horticulturists.
The Victorian glasshouse, first opened in 1863, will be home to some of the world's rarest and most threatened plants.
The Temperate House tells the stories of the plants that Kew has rescued, and the journeys they have taken to reach the sanctuary of their new home.
Famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough spoke of his delight with the restoration, saying: "It is a breathtakingly beautiful space. These plants are wonderful and here they are safe from peril."
"Kew does all sorts of things that nowhere else does. If you want to identify something, this is the ultimate authority worldwide," Attenborough added. "It's the most important botanical institute in the world. Kew occupies a very special place in the science of botany."
Entering the glasshouse, visitors embark on a round-the-world adventure. They might find themselves in South Africa, where they will see the cycad Encephalartos woodii, the famous "loneliest tree in the world". Its Jurassic appearance helped it withstand the nibbles of prehistoric predators, but now only male specimens exist and the quest for a female has been unsuccessful.
Richard Barley, director of horticulture at Kew, said: "This is world-class horticulture, science and design working together to create something truly impressive. The Temperate House is a glistening cathedral where the new glass allows the sun to stream in and the ironwork has been restored to its glossy best."
"I'm most excited that it is for everyone, from young to old, for budding gardeners or aspiring artists, for those making a pilgrimage from great distances, and for our local community, we hope every visitor will see plants in a new light."
Ros Kerslake, CEO of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which partly funded the project, said: "This extraordinary glass structure has always epitomized all that is wonderful about these gardens – it is a magical place with a massive heart, which makes a huge contribution to biodiversity and natural heritage."
The vast restoration project has taken five years and involved erecting enough scaffolding bars to stretch the entire length of the M25 London orbital motorway.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew is a world famous scientific organization, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development.
As a major international and a top London visitor attraction, Kew with 132 hectares of landscaped gardens and country estate attracts over 2.1 million visits every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009.
55-mln-USD facelift
reopens a
World's biggest glasshouse
Previous articleLebanon holds 1st parliamentary election since 2009
Next articleDirector prays Marxist film can generate some inspiration in the youth
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english
Xinhua News Agency, Xinhuanet is an important central news service-oriented website, an important information organ of the central government, and an important platform for building up China's online international communication capacity. Established on November 7, 1997, as an online news provider of the Xinhua News Agency, it was officially named Xinhuanet on March 10, 2000 and began around-the-clock news release with leading online public opinion at home and setting a good image of China abroad as its main task.
Singapore exports rebound as economy recovers slowly from pandemic
NRA, top US gun group, files for bankruptcy in bid to restructure
Italy approves further billions in aid to counter pandemic's effects
French consumer prices remain flat in December
UK GDP contracts in November
Biden proposes US$1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill
Analysts: German economy slumped by 5.1 percent in 2020
European companies warn of risks of an economic decoupling with China
US to halt cotton, tomato imports from China's Xinjiang
Reopening of schools: Pupils happy to be back, tidy classrooms for lessons