Mahlerovy sady

Mahlerovy sady is a small park in Prague's Žižkov district, tucked in the shadow of one of the city's most recognizable structures, the Žižkov Television Tower. The park borders directly on the Old Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov, which gives the spot a quiet, reflective mood rarely found in this densely built part of Prague 3. Most visitors pass through on their way to the tower's observation deck, but the park is worth a slower look on its own.

Where does the park come from?

The green space was created in the 20th century on land that had once belonged to the neighboring Jewish cemetery. A section of the burial ground was at some point taken out of funerary use and turned into a recreational area for local residents — that stretch became the park known today, forming a green buffer between the surrounding residential blocks and the historic tower. The proximity to the cemetery also explains the park's calm, slightly melancholic atmosphere.

What is the story behind the neighboring Jewish cemetery?

The cemetery next to the park is one of the oldest remaining traces of Jewish presence in Žižkov. It was founded at the end of the 17th century, originally as a burial ground for plague victims, and regular burials continued here from the late 18th century until 1890, when Prague's Jewish community opened a new cemetery elsewhere in the city. The surviving section bordering Mahlerovy sady is a quiet witness to Prague's Jewish history and a natural stop to combine with a walk through the park.

Why did the park change shape in the late 20th century?

The park's history is closely tied to the construction of the Žižkov Television Tower, built in the 1980s. The building works forced a reduction of the park's original area, and part of the land passed under the administration of the telecommunications company responsible for the tower. Since then, Mahlerovy sady has existed in a somewhat smaller form than originally laid out, though it still serves as a local patch of urban greenery.

What can you see from around the park?

The main draw nearby is the television tower itself, one of the tallest structures in the Czech Republic, with an observation deck dozens of meters above ground offering a panoramic view over all of Prague. The park itself, though modest in size, offers a peaceful place to rest before or after visiting the tower — benches shaded by trees, with the tower's distinctive silhouette rising just above the treeline.

How do you get to Mahlerovy sady?

The park sits in the heart of Žižkov, a district known for its alternative atmosphere, pubs, and street art. The easiest way in is by tram toward the stop serving the area around the television tower, followed by a short uphill walk. It makes a natural starting point for further exploring Žižkov, including the nearby cemetery and the tower itself.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Mahlerovy sady located? In Prague's Žižkov district (Prague 3), right next to the Žižkov Television Tower and the Old Jewish Cemetery.

Is it worth combining a visit with the tower? Yes, the park sits right at the base of the tower, so the two naturally fit into a single walk through this part of Žižkov.

Why does the park border a Jewish cemetery? Because it was created partly on land that once belonged to the cemetery, founded in the 17th century and used until 1890.

Is the park large? No, it is a small municipal green space, and its area was further reduced in the 20th century during construction of the television tower.