Kinského zahrada

Kinského zahrada is a large landscape park in Prague's Smíchov district (Prague 5), spread across the southern and south-eastern slope of Petřín Hill. For locals it's a natural extension of a walk up toward Petřín; for visitors it offers a quieter alternative to the hill's main paths, with views over Smíchov's rooftops and a valley that climbs steadily up the slope.

Where exactly is the park, and how do you reach it?

The garden connects the area around Holečkova Street with the summit of Petřín, occupying a band of terrain between roughly 200 and 315 metres above sea level. It's separated from the Malá Strana side of Petřín — specifically the Nebozízek gardens — by the Hunger Wall, a medieval fortification that runs along the ridge of the hill. Visitors typically enter from the Smíchov side, near Holečkova and Švédská streets, or descend into the park along paths from the upper parts of Petřín, which makes it easy to combine both spots into a single walk.

Where does the name come from, and whose garden was this originally?

The park is named after the Kinský noble family, who began buying up farmland and vineyards in this area in the first half of the 19th century to build a summer residence with an extensive park around it. The garden itself was laid out between 1828 and 1861 as a romantic counterpart to an Empire-style manor house — a pairing typical of the period, when a naturalistic, informal park was meant to contrast with the residence's classicist architecture. Toward the end of the 19th century, however, Smíchov turned into a heavily industrialised, smoke-filled suburb, and the Kinský family abandoned a summer house that had originally been built for its clean air. The whole estate was subsequently bought jointly by the cities of Prague and Smíchov, and it has functioned as a public city park ever since.

What is there to see inside the park?

Covering an area of several dozen acres, the grounds hold a mix of features: a wide meadow for relaxing, a children's playground, a stream, and a small waterfall feeding a pond. One unexpected sight is a wooden Greek Catholic church dedicated to the Archangel Michael — a piece of Carpathian folk architecture relocated here, quite different in character from the rest of the landscaped park. It's also worth seeking out the memorial sycamore maple in the lower part of the garden, a tree local tradition holds to be one of the very first planted when the park was founded, making it one of the oldest living witnesses to that era.

Who is this park suited for, and when is the best time to visit?

Kinského zahrada works both as a destination in its own right and as a stage on a longer walk between Smíchov and Petřín. Families with children will appreciate the playground and the gentle meadow terrain, while nature lovers will enjoy the varied slope vegetation and the relative quiet away from the crowds of central Prague. Because the park climbs steeply toward Petřín's summit at 315 metres, expect some effort on the uphill sections, while the lower parts near Holečkova are practically flat and accessible to everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kinského zahrada the same place as Petřín? No — they're neighbouring but separate areas. Kinského zahrada lies on the Smíchov slope and is divided from the Petřín side (the Nebozízek gardens) by the Hunger Wall.

Is there an entrance fee? The park is public city greenery, so walking through it is free of charge.

Are there places to eat or restrooms inside the park? Facilities are minimal — it's mainly green space with paths, a meadow, and a playground rather than a dining area, so it's better to head into nearby Smíchov for food.

Why is there an Orthodox-style wooden church in a Central European park? It's a relocated example of wooden folk architecture from the Carpathian region, placed in the park as a historical and landscape feature, unrelated to the original purpose of the Kinský family's garden.