Royal Garden of Prague Castle, Renaissance garden in Hradčany, Prague, Czech Republic
The Royal Garden is a multilevel space with stone paths, ornamental fountains, and geometrically arranged flower beds adjacent to Prague Castle's northern walls. Several historic structures define the layout, including a palace, an orangery building, and a ball game hall that shape how visitors move through the garden.
Emperor Ferdinand I established this space in 1534 on former vineyard land and commissioned Italian architects to design it. The place was later enlarged and modified, with major structures like the Summer Palace added to reflect the court's growing power and wealth.
The garden reflects royal leisure customs, where court members walked and enjoyed outdoor spaces for recreation and social gatherings. The buildings here, especially the Summer Palace, reveal how the royal family spent their leisure time and the architectural styles they favored.
The space opens from April through October and features a route across different levels with some steep stairs and uneven ground. Comfortable shoes are important, and there is little shade along the way, so sun protection is advisable.
A fountain from 1568 produces musical tones as water drops fall onto a bronze bowl, creating sounds without any mechanical system. This acoustic wonder is a rare Renaissance invention that still functions today.
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