Orunia Park

About

Emilia Hoene Orunia Park (Polish: Park Oruński im. Emilii Hoene; German: Hoenepark) is a historic, third-largest municipal park in Gdańsk, and the largest among the historical parks. It is located along the Orunia Stream, on the border of the districts of Orunia-Św. Wojciech-Lipce and Orunia Górna-Gdańsk Południe. It is part of the protected landscape and nature complex Valley of the Orunia Stream.

Orunia Park is located in the southern part of the city, in Orunia, at 2 Nowiny Street. It lies in a valley stretching from Łostowice to the Radunia Canal, which borders the park to the east. The Orunia Stream flows through the valley, creating a cascade within the park, and empties into the Radunia Canal at the park's edge. The valley's unique terraced slopes and vegetation, among others, were preserved when it was declared a protected area in 1999. South of the park is the Old Orunia Water Reservoir, a hydrotechnical monument that is part of the Natura 2000 network.

Within the park, there are two ponds: the upper (larger) pond, fed by the Orunia Stream, and the lower (smaller) pond. They are connected by a stream.

The park area is bordered by the following hills:

- To the north: Góra Łez and Góra Gliniana

- To the south: Góra Pięciu Braci These hills are associated with local legends. Among their distinctive features are glacial erratic stones, remnants of ancient ice ages that lend a unique geological charm to the landscape.

The park area is bordered by the following hills:

- To the north: Góra Łez and Góra Gliniana

- To the south: Góra Pięciu Braci These hills are associated with local legends. Among their distinctive features are glacial erratic stones, remnants of ancient ice ages that lend a unique geological charm to the landscape.

The vegetation in the Orunia Stream valley, where the park is located, is distinct from that of the surrounding area. This habitat supports a variety of uncommon plant species, such as the branched St Bernard's-lily, often found in pristine or ancient woodland settings. The valley is also home to strictly protected species like the cuckoopint, known for its spadix inflorescence, giant bellflower, and common hepatica, which all serve as botanical relics offering insights into the historical vegetation of the region. These species not only enrich the biodiversity of the area but also contribute to ongoing scientific research and conservation efforts aimed at preserving rare and endemic flora within the park's ecosystem.

In addition to uncommon species, the park contains typical spring flora such as wood anemone, yellow anemone, yellow star-of-Bethlehem, Gagea pratensis, and Corydalis intermedia. The area also contains a diverse range of fungus species, essential for nutrient cycling and plant health.

The park's hills are covered with beech trees dating back to at least the 19th century. Additionally, oaks, alders, and linden trees can be found in the garden area. Weeping willows grow around the water bodies. In the 1840s, an avenue of 40 linden trees was planted in the park, running from the manor house to the upper pond. There was once a linden tree in the park, which was estimated to be 400 years old in 1906 and was said to have been planted by Queen Marie Casimire Sobieska according to a pre-war legend.

Legally protected natural formations in the park include:

The park's hills are covered with beech trees dating back to at least the 19th century. Additionally, oaks, alders, and linden trees can be found in the garden area. Weeping willows grow around the water bodies. In the 1840s, an avenue of 40 linden trees was planted in the park, running from the manor house to the upper pond. There was once a linden tree in the park, which was estimated to be 400 years old in 1906 and was said to have been planted by Queen Marie Casimire Sobieska according to a pre-war legend.

Legally protected natural formations in the park include:

In past centuries, Orunia was a place of relaxation for the citizens of Gdańsk. There were suburban manor houses in the area. At the end of the 16th century, a hunting lodge existed there, which is already marked on a map from 1599. The first owners were the Tewes brothers, later followed by Gdańsk councilor Michał Kerl. At the beginning of the 17th century, the lodge passed into the hands of Gdańsk mayor Bartłomiej Schachmann, who transformed the area into a park-like estate. He initiated the creation of ponds and a stream.

In 1630, the park was acquired by Gdańsk mayor Johann Zierenberg. The park residence then became a meeting place for artists and the elite, and the park took on characteristics of a Renaissance garden, with extensive flower beds arranged in geometric shapes.

At the end of the 17th century, the park became the property of Gdańsk shipowner Albrecht Groddeck. In 1698, Augustus II the Strong stayed there. In 1734, during the Russian siege of Gdańsk, the park housed the quarters of Russian marshal Burkhard Christoph von Münnich, where the act of Gdańsk's capitulation was likely signed. The Groddeck family owned the park from 1685 to 1779.

In 1780, the park was acquired by Gdańsk botanist Gottfried Reyger. The park lost its Renaissance character in favor of a more natural spatial arrangement. Viewpoints were created, and a botanical garden was established where pineapples, citrus fruits, and coffee were grown. Reyger, a member of the Danzig Research Society, conducted botanical observations, resulting in his work On Wild Plants Growing Around Gdańsk, in which he identified the flowering times of 360 plants.

In 1798, during his travels from Prussia to Berlin, Frederick William III of Prussia made a notable visit to the park, leaving a mark on its history.