In 2026, it will be 100 years since Albert Bois de Chesne, a native of Trieste (a Swiss citizen of French descent), founded the Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden. When we descend over the Vršič Pass into Trento, we have no idea that there is a botanical gem right next to the road, where numerous Slovenian plant treasures thrive in a small area. Brown information boards draw our attention to the Alpine Botanical Garden near the hamlet of 'Pri cerkvi'.
The founding of Juliana
Albert Bois de Chesne (1871-1953) was an enthusiastic botanist and mountaineer since his high school days. After completing his studies in forestry, he had to take over his father's company. In 1925, he sold his forests in Slavonia and returned to Trieste to devote himself to botany at the age of 54.
In Trenta, he bought land on the Tožbar estate. He chose a sunny slope of Kukla near the church of St. Mary. Since there was no spring in the garden, a reservoir was built under a nearby waterfall and water was piped into the garden. In the autumn of 1926, the initial work was completed. He named the garden after his wife Julia. In 1927, plants began to be brought from the Julian Alps, Friulian hills, Karavanke, and even from the Atlas and Caucasus mountains.
Bois de Chesne was helped by both Slovenian and foreign botanists. The famous Julius Kugy was also a good friend, advising that the garden represent a "botanical journey from the valley to a Julian peak".
A look into history
After World War II, numerous Slovenian botanists cared for the garden, including Dr. Angela Piskernik. In 1949, management was taken over by The Slovenian Museum of Natural History. Since 1962, the museum has continuously looked after it. Professional managers included Prof. Dr. Tone Wraber and Dr. Nada Praprotnik, who led the garden between 1975 and 2013.
Gardeners in Juliana
The Tožbar family has been associated with Juliana since the beginning. Anton Tožbar senior (Špik senior or "The Bear") was Julius Kugy's first guide. Anton Tožbar the youngest was the first gardener, and the family tradition is continued today by Klemen Završnik.
Juliana today
Since 1951, Juliana has been protected as a monument of designed nature. Nowadays, around 600 species grow on 2,572 m2. Due to the altitude (800 m) and warm air from the Soča Valley, dry meadow plants thrive particularly well. Rare species include the tufted horned rampion (Physoplexis comosa) and the ribbed-leaved hladnikia (Hladnikia pastinacifolia), found exclusively in the Trnovo Forest.
Spring in Juliana begins two months earlier than in the mountains. In May, the garden exudes the scent of daphne, while June brings irises and orchids. In July, the Alpine seaholly (Eryngium alpinum) opens its luxurious inflorescences.
Author of the text: Špela Pungaršek / The Slovenian Museum of Natural History
Literature: Praprotnik, N., 2011: Alpine Botanical Garden Juliana.
