botanika (Rhododendron Park glasshouses, Bremen)

The history of the Rhododendron Park glasshouses begins in the 1970s. From 1972 to 1974, climate-controlled houses with a total area of 960 m² were built to grow tropical and subtropical rhododendrons; the Wilhelm-Kaisen-Haus came first, followed in 1974 by the Eduard-Nebelthau-Haus. They were meant to house collections previously scattered across ageing facilities. In 1999 a 2,500 m² complex of propagation greenhouses was added as part of the planning of the Rhodarium.

On 6 June 2003 botanika opened in the middle of the park, billed as Germany's largest nature discovery centre. Since 2009 it has been run by a separate company, botanika GmbH, while the botanika foundation supports the conservation and presentation of the tender rhododendrons. A Buddha statue given by the Dalai Lama, the "Buddha for Europe", was installed in August 2017, and the tropical house was enlarged by 900 m² in autumn 2021.

The complex combines a discovery centre with several glasshouses. The centre, of 1,000 m², is laid out as a spiral over two levels and holds about eighty interactive stations on plants, animals, terrariums and a reef aquarium. The glasshouses, about 4,000 m² in all, are grouped into regional sets: four major houses, including the Himalayan mountains, Borneo and Japan, and smaller houses used for temporary exhibitions.

The tropical house was extended by 900 m² in autumn 2021. The sources consulted do not name the architect of the centre or of the current houses, and give no detailed dimensions for each hall.

According to Wikipedia, the Rhododendron Park in Bremen holds 650 species and 3,500 cultivars of rhododendron, presented as the largest collection in the world. Under glass, botanika stages tropical and subtropical rhododendrons in Himalayan, Bornean and Japanese landscapes.

Animals complete the settings: koi carp, hill mynas, flat-tailed geckos, poison dart frogs, stick insects, chameleons, white-handed gibbons, coral-reef species and free-flying tropical butterflies. Special exhibitions mark the year; "botanika goes space" takes place every September.

botanika stands at the centre of Bremen's Rhododendron Park and combines well with a walk in the park, whose rhododendron collection is among its main attractions. The route alternates the discovery centre, regional glasshouses, butterflies and animals, which justifies allowing half a day.

The Buddha statue given in 2017 (2.4 m high, 450 kg) stands on the grounds. Temporary exhibitions, including "botanika goes space" in September, give reasons to return in different seasons.