Čelakovského sady

Čelakovského sady is a small but well-loved park in the very centre of Prague, sitting right next to the National Museum, between Vinohradská, Škrétova and Mezibranská streets. Covering only about 1.3 hectares, it is nonetheless a favourite green pocket for locals living in the surrounding apartment blocks and office workers looking for a quiet break from the city bustle.

Where does the park's name come from?

The park is named after František Ladislav Čelakovský, a Czech poet and translator from the era of the national revival. Long before today's park layout existed, this ground was part of the city's abandoned fortifications, forming a stretch of the so-called Long Promenade known simply as the "Small Park." Only after the National Museum building was completed did the space take on a new form — in 1882 it was redesigned by František Thomayer, one of the most important Czech landscape architects of the period.

Why is the park split into two parts?

Walking through Čelakovského sady, visitors quickly notice that the park does not form one continuous space. The reason is the north-south highway built through Prague in the 1970s, which cut straight through the park and divided it into two separate sections. Practical as the road may have been for city traffic, it was an unfortunate outcome for the park itself — the two halves are now linked by underground passages, letting walkers cross from one side to the other without stepping onto the busy road above.

What is there to see in the park?

The park's real strength lies in its tree cover — around 30 different species grow here, dominated by Japanese pagoda tree, small-leaved lime and sycamore maple. It is this greenery and the shade of their broad crowns that make the park such a pleasant refuge from summer heat in the city.

Another point of interest is the marble monument to Czech actress Otýlie Sklenářová-Malá, created in 1933 by sculptor Ladislav Šaloun, who is also behind several other well-known sculptural works around Prague. The statue pays tribute to one of the celebrated figures of Czech theatre and is a popular spot for visitors to stop and take a photo.

Who is this park for?

Čelakovského sady is better suited to a short breather than a long stroll — given its modest size, it works best as a stopping point on the way to the National Museum, Wenceslas Square or the main train station, all of which are close by. It is a good place to sit on a bench, eat a sandwich, or simply rest in the shade of the trees between visiting other sights in central Prague.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park located? The park lies in central Prague, between Vinohradská, Škrétova and Mezibranská streets, directly beside the National Museum building.

How large is the park? Čelakovského sady covers roughly 1.3 hectares, making it one of the smaller parks in central Prague.

Where does the park's name come from? It is named in honour of the Czech poet František Ladislav Čelakovský.

Is there anything to see besides the greenery? Yes — the park contains a marble monument to actress Otýlie Sklenářová-Malá, made by sculptor Ladislav Šaloun in 1933.

Why is the park divided into two parts? Because a north-south highway was built through it in the 1970s, splitting it into two sections that are now connected by pedestrian underpasses.