5 green and lush gardens to visit in Prague this weekend

Gardens under Prague Castle

The palace gardens below Prague Castle are located on the southern slope of Hradčany Hill, linking Prague Castle with the Lesser Town. The complex includes a total of five gardens – Ledeburská, Malá and Velká Pálffyovská, Kolowratská, and Malá Fürstenberská. They were built during the 18th century by important artists of the Czech Baroque and early Classical period, and the number of terraces, pavilions, orangeries and gloriette are reminiscent of Italian Renaissance gardens. Accompanying events: Concert by Nikol Fischerová, guided tours. See the full line-up here.

Naturalists station

Visit an certified “natural garden” comprised of herbs and medicinal plants, perennials and annuals, traditionally and non-traditionally grown vegetables, and an insect hotel. Small group can take a guided tour with resident gardener Alenka Žbirková on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon (reservations at kurkinova@ddmpraha.cz). You can also visit the newly opened “gardening window” selling organic-quality vegetable seedlings, seedlings for balcony and indoor flowers, and a diverse collection of perennials and herbs, at affordable prices. See the full line-up here.

Dendrological garden (Pruhonice)

The Dendrological Garden is operated by the Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture, a public research institution. It was established for the purpose of concentrating and preserving collections of plants, with an emphasis on the use of individual species in horticultural and landscaping. A nice playground and refreshment stand also await visitors. See the full line-up here. (If you’ve made it this far and have time, the gardens a Pruhonice Castle are also a must.)

Troja chateau garden

The garden of Troja Castle in its current form was designed by architect Otakar Kuča in the 1980s and is style after the original Baroque garden. The garden includes fountains, a garden theater, a ceremonial staircase, and a maze of hornbeam fences and shapes. See the extensive castle gardens, take part in accompanying programs including concerts and workshops for free, and see the newly opened exhibition of Jan Kovářík on the castle ground. Full line-up here.

Garden settlement Kamínka, Zbraslav

This classic Czech “garden colony” plays an important roles in the city’s ecological functions. Experience the traditional environment of a Czech cultural institution and take a tour of the bonsai garden. Full line-up here.

Bonus: Charles University Botanical Garden

While not a part of the Weekend of Open Gardens, from June 5 to 28, check out the first exhibition of the year at this botanical garden, the oldest in the Czech Republic. Enjoy magical succulent landscapes; the exhibition will also include the sale of succulent plants and ceramic pots (note that the sale takes place next week).

The Open Garden & Squares Weekend originated in 1998 in the United Kingdom and always takes place during the June weekend. The project met with great acclaim and has eventually become a tradition throughout Europe. The event takes place throughout the Czech Republic with a number of landmark castle and monastery gardens participating. For the full list, see here.