Central Park

Central Park in Prague is a private green space wrapped inside a residential complex in the Žižkov district, right next to the well-known Parukářka hill. It is not a sightseeing destination in the usual sense — more of an architectural curiosity and a pocket of greenery for local residents, worth a glance if you happen to be wandering around Žižkov.

Where does the name come from?

The name belongs to the Central Park Praha housing complex, built between 2006 and 2009 between Parukářka park and the former Žižkov freight railway station. It was designed by the studio A69 architekti (architects Boris Redčenkov, Prokop Tomášek and Jaroslav Wertig), whose horseshoe-shaped arrangement of buildings was meant to open the development toward the neighboring park. The project won the Grand Prix of Architects in 2010, the Czech national architecture award in the new-construction category.

What does the park itself look like?

The internal park covers roughly 1.5 hectares and is a private, enclosed green area reserved for the complex's residents — the grounds are fenced and monitored around the clock. Its shape echoes the steep slope of Parukářka hill, which inspired the architects when designing the artificial embankment and the layout of the buildings. As a result, the park reads as a natural continuation of the neighboring hillside, even though it was built from scratch alongside the housing complex.

What else is part of the complex?

Beyond the park, residents have access to a swimming pool, a sports and wellness club, underground parking, private cellars, and a handful of amenities such as a café and a florist. The complex holds 547 apartments spread across tower buildings connected by three-story townhouses, arranged in a horseshoe layout originally conceived to echo stadium stands — though no sports venue was ever built there.

Can tourists visit Central Park?

The internal park is part of a private residential estate and is not open to the public — it is gated and reserved for residents. Visitors to Žižkov can instead walk freely through the adjacent public Parukářka park, which offers one of the better panoramic views over Prague, and can still admire the distinctive silhouette of the Central Park complex from outside.

Why is this place worth knowing about?

For anyone interested in contemporary architecture, Central Park Praha is a notable example of an award-winning residential project that deliberately responds to the terrain and the surrounding urban greenery. It also makes a useful reference point when planning a walk through Žižkov — a district known for its industrial character, the Parukářka hill, and an alternative atmosphere far removed from Prague's tourist center.

Frequently asked questions

Is Prague's Central Park the same as Central Park in New York? No. The name is purely coincidental — Prague's Central Park is a private park attached to a residential complex in Žižkov and has no connection to the New York park.

Is the park open to visitors? No, the internal park belongs to the residents of the complex and is gated and monitored. The neighboring Parukářka park, however, is fully public.

Where exactly is the complex located? In the Žižkov district, between Parukářka park and the site of the former freight railway station, along the streets Malešická, Ke Kapslovně and Pitterova.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The adjacent Parukářka park with its Prague viewpoint, and the Žižkov district itself, known for its industrial architecture and low-key, non-touristy atmosphere.