Malešice botanical garden

Malešice Botanical Garden sits on the southwestern slope of Tábor Hill, in Prague's Malešice district, right at the edge of Prague 9. Far from the usual tourist trail, it's one of Prague's three most significant botanical sites — and a surprisingly quiet one given its size and history.

How did the garden come about?

The story begins in 1920, when factory owner Antonín Jirásko commissioned landscape architect František Thomayer — known for designing the park at Karlovo náměstí and numerous other parks in Prague, Vienna, and Paris — to lay out a private park around his estate. Together they planted rare trees and shrubs and built greenhouses on the sun-facing slope.

World War II changed everything: the Gestapo seized the estate and turned it into a military hospital. Statues disappeared, records were lost, and the once carefully tended park fell into neglect. After 1945 the property was nationalized, and in 1947 it was handed over to a horticultural school. Since 1990 the grounds have officially operated as a school botanical garden, combining an educational role with public access.

What is there to see?

The garden belongs to a horticultural secondary school in Jarov and primarily serves as a training ground for students of gardening trades, but since 2020 it has been open to the public daily during the main season, from May to October — and admission is free. It covers 11 hectares, with greenhouses spanning 2,000 square meters, making it larger in greenhouse area than Prague's well-known Na Slupi botanical garden.

Visitors will find an arboretum, a rock garden with a small waterfall (established in 1998), and a teaching and cultivation garden. The collection includes more than 5,000 plant taxa, from trees and shrubs to tropical species grown in the greenhouses. Some of the tropical and utility greenhouses are currently in poor technical condition, though reconstruction is planned.

Why visit?

This is a spot for travelers looking for a quiet corner of Prague away from the crowds — winding paths, greenery, and calm give the impression that time moves more slowly here. For plant enthusiasts, it also offers a chance to explore a substantial botanical collection without the crowds of the city's more famous gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the garden free? Yes, entry is free of charge.

When is the garden open to visitors? Since 2020, it has been open daily during the season from May to October.

Who founded the garden? The park was established in 1920 on the initiative of factory owner Antonín Jirásko, working with landscape architect František Thomayer.

How many plant species can be seen here? The collection includes more than 5,000 plant taxa.

Who runs the garden today? It is operated by a horticultural school in Jarov, serving an educational purpose while remaining open to the public.