North of the Laeken royal estate lies a town in glass, a group of greenhouses incorporating fine architectural décor and housing a rich botanical collection. Built in the late 19C by architect Alphonse Balat (1819-1895), they are composed of multiple galleries, pavilions of exotic flora, the iron church (closed) and the fine winter garden of impressive size. This palace of glass, iron, casting and steel is a bold mix of design and technical genius.