Jablunkovské arboretum

Jablunkovské arboretum is one of the most remarkable tree and shrub collections in the Czech part of Silesia, set beside a former tuberculosis sanatorium in Jablunkov, east of the point where the Ošetnice stream meets the Lomná river. The site blends the history of medical treatment with the passion of dendrology collectors, and today it stands as a free, year-round attraction for locals and visitors alike.

How did the arboretum come to be?

The park was founded in 1924 on donated land, on the initiative of the Slezská humanita association (which later merged with the Humanita pro zemi Moravskoslezskou organization for financial reasons). The driving force behind the project was Lev Kazík, director of the Fryštát insurance company in the Cieszyn Silesia region. The layout was designed by architect Jan Rull and carried out by gardener Ladislav Pavlacký. Their ambition went beyond simply landscaping the sanatorium grounds — they wanted to build a living museum of trees and shrubs gathered from around the world.

How did the park grow alongside the sanatorium?

Paths and plantings were designed to encourage tuberculosis patients to take daily walks in fresh air, which at the time was considered just as important to recovery as medical treatment itself. As a result, the park expanded together with the sanatorium. It originally covered 5.2 hectares, but through the systematic acquisition of surrounding land its area grew to more than 36 hectares by 1936. The collection was developed in cooperation with recognized dendrologists as well as gardens and nurseries across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, making it one of the richest in Moravia by the end of the 1930s.

What did the arboretum go through during the war years?

The park's history was not spared hardship: the site suffered during the Polish occupation, served as a German military hospital, and some of its staff were sent to concentration camps. Despite this, the arboretum survived, and in the 1990s it underwent a revitalization and renovation that restored its original character and preserved its unique collection for future generations.

What can visitors see in the arboretum today?

Today, Jablunkovské arboretum — also known as the Park u Sanatoria or Park u plicního sanatoria — displays more than five hundred species of rare plants from around the world. The grounds are further enriched by sandstone sculptures created by acclaimed Czech artists such as Vincenc Makovský and Jan Tříska, adding an artistic dimension to the walking paths. An educational trail also runs through the park, introducing visitors to the history of both the sanatorium and the arboretum itself.

Is admission free?

Yes — the arboretum is open to the public free of charge, year-round, during its opening hours. This makes it one of the most frequently visited attractions in the area, appreciated equally by local residents looking for a place to walk and by tourists interested in the region's history and nature.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Jablunkov arboretum founded? In 1924, on donated land, through the initiative of the Slezská humanita association.

How many plant species grow here? More than five hundred species of rare trees and shrubs brought from various parts of the world.

Is entry to the arboretum free? Yes, the park is open free of charge throughout the year.

What attractions besides plants can be found in the park? Sandstone sculptures by artists including Vincenc Makovský and Jan Tříska, plus an educational trail about the sanatorium's history.

What was the park's original purpose? To support the treatment of tuberculosis sanatorium patients by encouraging daily walks in fresh air.