Palace Gardens Below Prague Castle, Renaissance gardens in Malá Strana, Czech Republic.
The Palace Gardens Below Prague Castle comprise six linked terraced sections built on a steep slope, featuring ornamental fountains, stone sculptures, and winding pathways. These gardens rise gradually toward the castle walls and contain pavilions, planted beds, and open gathering spaces at different levels.
In the early 17th century, aristocratic families transformed vineyards on this slope into tiered gardens following Italian Renaissance design principles. The layouts evolved over time as successive owners added Baroque features and reshaped sections to match changing tastes and architectural styles.
The gardens carry the names of the aristocratic families who shaped them, reflecting their role as private spaces where Prague's nobility entertained guests and enjoyed leisure. Today these terraces show how the wealthy lived and spent their time during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
The gardens can be entered from several points around the Malá Strana neighborhood, though some sections involve steep or uneven pathways. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable since you will be climbing and descending repeatedly as you move between terraced levels.
The Great Pálffy Garden stands out for its eight-level design featuring a Baroque portal and a spiral staircase with carved ornaments that few visitors notice. A sundial on one terrace displays quotations from different historical periods, revealing itself only as you explore the upper reaches.
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