Remains of Mendel's greenhouse in Brno

Brno archaeologists have again made a remarkable discovery. They uncovered the complete foundations of Mendel's greenhouse, in which this scientist conducted experiments with plant crossbreeding. The greenhouse was destroyed by a storm in the mid-nineteenth century.

Archaeologists from Archaia Brno are behind this discovery. As they removed the rubble, they discovered new and new construction details every day, which ultimately compose a breathtaking view of the interior of the greenhouse at floor level.

"We can mention in particular the heating system and the ducts distributing the heat, even though this part was inarchaeologist Lenka Sedláčková explained.

Archaeologists also found interesting discoveries in the area where Mendel's greenhouse was located. They came across two kilns probably dating back to the eighteenth century, two foundation walls of unspecified function. "With one of the structures we could perhaps consider a late medieval or early modern age. The second masonry, particularly on the basis of its character, can be placed with some degree of probability in the post-30th War," Sedláčková said, adding that most of the finds are mainly of modern age.

The greenhouse itself was built by the abbot of the local Augustinian monastery, Cyril František Napp. He is known for being one of Mendel's supporters. He was also a Moravian Roman Catholic clergyman and a member of the Moravian Provincial Assembly. For sixteen years he was the central director of grammar schools in Moravia and Silesia. He was close to natural sciences and agriculture.

Several plans, for example from 1854 or 1856, were used to build the greenhouse. According to the findings of archaeologists, the building was not built according to the project documentation. They uncovered a large number of interior modifications, especially other alterations to the fireplaces and heating ducts. A photograph from 1935 shows the appearance of the interior, while archival photographs from 1961 document the overall appearance of the greenhouse before its demolition.

A grand celebration is being planned for next year to mark the 200th anniversary of Mendel's birth. Preparations have already begun. They include the restoration of the greenhouse on the site where the monastery greenhouse stood from the mid-nineteenth century.

Plans are also underway for a festival to be held next July in Mendel Square. For more information visit www.mendelje.cz. Then, in early November, Mendel's remains were returned to the Augustinian tomb.

Sources: www.archaiabrno.org, www.wikipedia.org, www.ceskatelevize.cz