Vrtba Garden, French formal garden in Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic
Vrtba Garden is a French formal garden in Malá Strana structured in three tiers that climb the hillside, each connected by decorative staircases. The space features geometric flower beds, fountains, and classical colonnades that frame the different levels.
The garden was designed in 1720 by architect František Maxmilián Kaňka for Count Jan Josef of Vrtba during the rebuilding of the adjacent Vrtba Palace. It emerged as part of broader transformations happening in the city at that time.
The garden displays sculptures by Matyáš Bernard Braun and frescoes by Václav Vavřinec Reiner in the Sala Terrena, a covered hall adjoining the palace. These artworks shape how visitors experience the space and invite them to linger.
The garden is accessible through a gate on Karmelitská Street and open during the warmer months from April to October. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon helps you experience the space more peacefully, with fewer crowds.
The garden merges French design principles with Italian terracing techniques, an unusual blend that was rare in Central Europe at that time. This fusion of styles is most visible in how the levels are connected through the decorative staircases.
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