Habrmannův park

Habrmannův park is a small neighbourhood park on Habrmannovo náměstí square in the Doubravka district, part of the Plzeň 4 municipal borough. It is a favourite green spot for local residents and a regular stage for community events in this part of the city.

Where does the park come from and what is its history?

The park was laid out in 1925, shortly after Doubravka was incorporated into the city of Plzeň. At the request of local residents, a rectangular plot of land in front of the local school building was landscaped into a public park. The original design followed a symmetrical, axial composition: a central grass parterre was decorated with three flower beds arranged along the main axis, and the middle bed held a statue of a postilion, moved here from the main post office building on Solní street. The layout was completed by two concentric oval paths lined with rows of flowering red hawthorn trees and ornamental shrubs, with benches for resting and shaded corners set aside for children's play.

How did the park change after its revitalisation?

The park owes its present appearance to a thorough revitalisation carried out in 2005–2006, designed by architects Jakub Chvojka and Čeněk Stehlík. The project's guiding idea was to return to the park's original symmetrical composition from decades earlier, this time realised with contemporary materials and forms. As part of the renewal, a metal sculpture by Václav Fiala titled "Fascination with Spheres" was placed on the park's central axis, becoming a new landmark and a popular spot for visitors' photos.

What can visitors do in Habrmannův park?

Today the park functions as the main meeting point for the Doubravka community. Its grassy areas and paths invite gentle walks and a rest on a shaded bench, while the designated play areas are popular with families and children. The park also regularly hosts cultural and neighbourhood events organised by the Plzeň 4 borough and local institutions, ranging from community festivals to open-air performances.

What events take place in the park?

A fixture of the local calendar is the Doubravecké slavnosti vína a burčáku, a wine and young must (burčák) festival that draws large crowds from the surrounding neighbourhood. The park also hosts the Loutková Doubravka festival, a mix of puppet theatre, music and dance performances, creative workshops, games and competitions for children and adults alike. Traditional Masopust (carnival) celebrations and the lighting of the Christmas tree at the turn of the year round out the annual programme.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Habrmannův park located? The park is situated on Habrmannovo náměstí square in the Doubravka district, part of the Plzeň 4 municipal borough.

When was the park founded? It was established in 1925, soon after Doubravka became part of Plzeň, on land in front of a school building.

What makes the park's landscape design distinctive? Its symmetrical, axial layout: a central lawn, two concentric oval paths lined with hawthorn trees, and a sculpture on the main axis — originally a postilion statue, and since the 2005–2006 revitalisation, Václav Fiala's metal work "Fascination with Spheres".

Are there attractions for children? Yes, the park has shaded play areas that are popular with families.

Which events are worth visiting? The most popular are the Doubravecké slavnosti vína a burčáku wine festival and the Loutková Doubravka puppet festival, alongside Masopust celebrations and the Christmas tree lighting.