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The Mlyňany Arboretum opened the main visitor season with the traditional Ambrozy Days. With this event, we annually commemorate the personality of the arboretum founder, Count Dr. Štefan Ambrózy-Migazzi, who created one of the most important dendrological works in Central Europe.

This year, visitors are also attracted by nearly 2,000 taxa of woody plants from different corners of the world. These days, the main attraction is the blooming rhododendrons, followed later by roses and, in autumn, the colourful foliage of woody plants.

“More than 40,000 people visit the arboretum every year. The Mlyňany Arboretum is a popular educational venue for pupils and students from various types of schools. Primary school pupils find excellent conditions here for experiential learning,” said Ľubica Ditmarová, Director of the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

According to Jana Konôpková, Head of the Mlyňany Arboretum organisational unit of the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the history of the arboretum is built on a love of nature, enthusiasm, and a desire for knowledge. “We are gathered in a place with a 134-year history. Love, enthusiasm, and the desire for knowledge were the key factors behind the creation of the arboretum by Štefan Ambrózy-Migazzi, originally a lawyer by profession, who had a close relationship with nature and became acquainted with the world of plants during his travels in Southern Europe. His love of nature, especially plants, and his desire to prove the viability of exotic, mostly evergreen trees under our conditions led him to establish the Mlyňany Arboretum,” said Jana Konôpková. According to her, the founder sought to demonstrate the viability of exotic, mainly evergreen plants, even in local conditions. Today, however, the arboretum faces new challenges. “The major challenge nowadays is maintaining these plants in good condition during the climate crisis. We are experiencing extreme weather conditions, which significantly complicate tree care,” added Jana Konôpková.

The arboretum also continued modernising its grounds last year. “Since our last meeting a year ago, we have further improved conditions for visitors. We have built a new information centre connected to a café, which I hope will make our visitors’ time in the arboretum even more enjoyable,” said Ľubica Ditmarová.

SAS President Martin Venhart reminded attendees that the arboretum also plays an important role in science communication. “Our primary mission is to conduct scientific research, but the arboretum provides added value because the public can encounter science directly here on site. This is not always possible. Wherever it is, we like to make use of it and communicate it to the public,” he concluded.

The Mlyňany Arboretum is open on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on weekends and public holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The next major event will be the rose exhibition, The Magic of Roses, in the Mlyňany Arboretum, which will take place from June 12 to 13, 2026.

Compiled by: Eva Sládková, Institute of Forest Ecology, SAS

Photo: SAS