Havlíčkovy sady

Havlíčkovy sady is one of Prague's favorite neighborhood parks, spread over a hillside in Vinohrady right where it meets Vršovice and Nusle. Locals still often call it Grébovka or Gröbovka, a nickname tied to the industrialist who first laid it out. The grounds cover roughly 11 hectares at an elevation of 200–245 meters and include a working vineyard along with several historic buildings.

Where does the name come from and who built the park?

The land originally belonged to Prague industrialist Moritz Gröbe, a partner in the firm Lanna and Šebek, who between 1871 and 1888 turned it into a private garden around his villa. Built in a mix of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Romantic style, the project cost an enormous sum for its time — 1,760,000 Austro-Hungarian crowns, roughly equivalent to half a billion Czech crowns today. After Gröbe's death, the town of Royal Vinohrady bought the estate from his widow, and on May 16, 1906, the park opened to the public under its current name, honoring the writer, journalist and politician Karel Havlíček Borovský.

What can visitors see inside the park?

The centerpiece is still Gröbe's villa with its adjoining pavilion, next to a small vineyard of about 1.7 hectares with its own wine pavilion, where in summer visitors can taste wine produced right on site. The grounds also preserve an artificial grotto and two former manor properties, the Upper and Lower Landhauska. A wine cellar and a children's playground were added in 2012, which makes the park just as popular with families as with visitors after a view over the city.

How has the park changed over time?

Havlíčkovy sady has been listed as a cultural monument since 1964, and the Prague 2 district has managed it since 1999. After 1989, the park's historic stone fence was rebuilt along with its original gates and gatekeeper's lodge, at a cost of about 17 million crowns. That restoration kept the park close to its 19th-century appearance, even though today it mainly serves as everyday green space for people living in Vinohrady.

Who is this park best suited for?

Havlíčkovy sady works well for anyone who wants a break from central Prague without traveling far — it sits just a few tram stops from Náměstí Míru. The hilly terrain makes for a slightly more demanding walk than a flat city park, but it rewards visitors with views and a quieter, more local atmosphere than Prague's more touristy green spaces.

Frequently asked questions

Are Havlíčkovy sady and Grébovka the same place? Yes. Grébovka (or Gröbovka) is the informal name referencing industrialist Moritz Gröbe, who created the garden, while Havlíčkovy sady has been the official name since the park opened to the public in 1906.

Can you taste wine from the park's own vineyard? Yes, a small vineyard with a wine pavilion operates on the grounds, and wine grown on site is served there seasonally.

Is the park suitable for a visit with children? Yes, a playground has been in place since 2012, and the gentle paths and viewpoint terraces make it an easy place to bring a family.

How do you get to Havlíčkovy sady? The easiest way is by tram to the Vinohrady or Vršovice area, followed by a short uphill walk — the park sits on a hill between the two neighborhoods.