Bayan Botanical Garden

Nestled within the grounds of the Bayan presidential palace in Kuwait City, this monumental greenhouse was designed by Dutch designer Peter van der Toorn Vrijthoff and built by Smiemans Projecten, a specialist in prestige horticultural glasshouses. Inaugurated on February 24, 2015, by the Emir of Kuwait, it spreads three glass arches rising to 12.5 meters over a climate-controlled area of 3,500 m², within a total site of nearly 16,000 m². Six themed gardens recreate four distinct climate zones — humid tropical, desert, Mediterranean, and European — sheltering palms, banana trees, ferns, wild orchids, and aquatic plants. The technical feat involved is considerable: maintaining an ideal climate for the plants while the mercury outside climbs above 53°C. Open to the public only on Thursday mornings with proof of identification, the garden also serves as a setting for state receptions and official visits by the Emir.