Čakovický zámecký park

Čakovický zámecký park is a nearly 7.4-hectare green space in Prague's Čakovice district, also known locally as the Gardens of Victory. It surrounds a Baroque-era castle from the first half of the 18th century and has long served residents of northern Prague as a place for walking, resting by water, and enjoying an English-style landscape setting.

How did the park come to be?

The garden in front of the castle was likely laid out in a Baroque style during the period when the castle itself was being built and altered. The free-flowing, landscape-style layout visitors see today, however, is younger: it first appears on an undated sketch made for the Stable Cadastre, probably around 1842. The real turning point came after 1849, when the Čakovice estate and its castle were bought by Alexander Schoeller, a German-Austrian industrialist and banker who lived from 1805 to 1886. Under his ownership, the park gained a pavilion, ponds, and a network of paths connecting them — features that still largely define its layout today. Interestingly, paintings from the late 19th century show that the entire northern half of the grounds was still being used as an orchard rather than an ornamental garden at that time.

What does the park's layout look like?

The park has a roughly rectangular shape. It is bordered on the south by Cukrovarská Street, on the west by the site of a former sugar-factory complex, on the north by the Mratínský stream, and on the east by the rear sections of residential properties. The castle building, together with a parking area, stands in the park's south-eastern corner, while a pond in the northern part offers a natural spot for rest and birdwatching.

What has happened to the park in recent decades?

The park's recent history is also a story of rescue and renewal. Stabilization work began in 1994, a regeneration concept was drawn up in 1997, and the most extensive rehabilitation took place between 2000 and 2002. That project confirmed the park's natural, landscape-style character and established a biocentre in its north-western section — a zone where nature takes precedence over intensive recreational use.

What can visitors do in the park today?

Today, Čakovický zámecký park functions as an open public space. It includes a children's playground and an educational trail dedicated to beekeeping, which leads through the grounds and introduces visitors to bees and honey production. Broad lawns, mature trees, and the pond make it a popular destination for families with children as well as anyone looking for a quiet walk away from the bustle of the city, even though the park lies within Prague's administrative boundaries.

How do you get to the park?

The park sits in the Čakovice district in the northern part of Prague. A nearby railway stop, Praha-Čakovice zámecký park, makes it easy to reach without a car, making it a convenient option for a day trip from the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Čakovický zámecký park? The park covers an area of approximately 7.38 hectares.

Where does the park's other name, Gardens of Victory, come from? It is a local, informal name used alongside the official designation "zámecký park," meaning castle park.

Who had the biggest influence on the park's current appearance? Alexander Schoeller played a key role: after buying the estate in 1849, he had a pavilion, ponds, and walking paths built.

Is there anything for children in the park? Yes, the park has a playground, and a beekeeping-themed educational trail adds an extra attraction.

Is the park connected to Čakovice Castle? Yes, the park directly surrounds the castle building from the first half of the 18th century, which stands in its south-eastern corner.