- Address: Pražský hrad, Praha 1 - Hradčany, 119 08
- Website: hrad.cz
The biggest fortress in the Czech Republic is the Prague Castle , located on a hill near the left bank of the Vltava River. Once a reliable medieval castle with time lost its importance as a fortress. Therefore, in the 16th century, by the order of the then ruler Ferdinand I, the trees began to be demolished and the moats buried, and around the castle, the beautiful gardens of the Prague Castle gradually grew. Today, they include natural areas, as well as artificially created terraces and parks.
Northern Prague Gardens
These include natural and artificial landscape forms:
- The Royal Garden (Kralovska zahrada). It is the brightest, the most extensive and the most impressive. Originally it was created in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance. Here, for the first time, tropical plants were cultivated: heat-loving grapes, almonds, figs, citrus fruits. In the garden was built a greenhouse, in which they began to grow roses, tulips. Gradually appeared a variety of sculptures and other small architectural forms.
- Hotkovy gardens (Chotkovy sady). Previously, you could climb to them only along the path, called the Mouse hole. Then, instead of it, a road was laid, which began to connect Mala-Strana with the northern part of Prague Castle. In the loop of this road and justified the first park in Prague in the English style. Here, more than 60 different species of trees were planted, among which were hornbeams and plane trees, oaks and poplars. In 1887, the landscape architect Tomayer built a beautiful lake in the park with small flower beds.
- The garden on the terrace of the Manege (Zahrada na terase Jízdárny) in the baroque style was built on the roof of the underground garage complex in 1952. It has beautiful figured flower beds and lawns, decorative vases and pools with fountains.
Southern gardens of the Prague Castle
These parks, called Jizni zahrady, arose on the site of ditches and ramparts that protected the fortress. The composition of the Southern Gardens includes several parks:
- The Garden of Eden (Rajská zahrada) was laid before the residence of the Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol in 1562. To equip the park on the southern slope of the hill, a fertile soil was planted and many plants were planted. The Garden of Eden was separated from the castle by a high wall. At the beginning of the 20th century, the park was reconstructed.
- The garden on the Valah (Zahrada Na Valech) was created in the XVIII century. At first it was a narrow alley that connected the Garden of Eden with the bastion of the Prague Castle. In the XIX century, the Garden on the Vales turned into a real picturesque park in English style. There are many old rare species of trees growing here. Around them are perfectly formed flower beds, geometrically adjusted living hedges and lawns. Observation areas and terraces are located along the central promenade.
- Hartigovská záhrada (Hartigovská zahrada) was founded in 1670. Today this park, created in the Baroque style, is a cultural monument of the Czech Republic . The garden consists of two terraces connected by a staircase. In its center is the Music Pavilion.
The Garden on the Bastion
This park is located in the western part of Prague Castle. It was defeated on the site of the former bastion, and therefore received the name. Later the garden was reconstructed, and now its modern appearance is presented in Italian and partly in Japanese style. In one part of the park are planted Mediterranean yews and cypresses of ideal shape. The other part of the garden is less well-maintained. Prague Castle with garden space is connected with the help of the original rounded staircase Plechnik, which has unique acoustic properties.
Deer moat
This ravine with steep slopes and Brusnice stream running along its bottom was named due to the animals that were once kept here. In the XVIII century a dam was built, which divided the Deer into two parts:
- The Upper Oleny ditch is an excellent place for walking in the shade of trees along green glades and paths. On the approach to the upper Deer ditch a sculpture called "Krkonoše" is installed, symbolizing a kind spirit that supposedly helps good people and harms evil people.
- The Lower Deer is connected to the upper one by an 84-meter underground tunnel. In this nature park, various cultural events, show programs and theatrical performances often take place.
Gardens under the Prague Castle
To terraced gardens, located in this area of the Czech capital, include the following:
- Ledeburg is a beautiful Baroque garden in Italian and French style;
- Palffy - consists of eight terraces connected by a staircase;
- Kolovrat is the smallest garden in the area;
- Furstenberg is the territory of the Polish embassy.
How to get to the gardens of Prague Castle?
You can reach this area by tram 22 or 23. It will be more convenient to use taxi services. If you decide to use the metro for your travel, then leave at Malostranská station (on line A). From here you can walk to the fortress by the stairs of the Old Castle. When planning a trip to the gardens of Prague Castle, remember that in winter (October-March) they are closed for visits.