Rajská zahrada

Paradise Garden is a small, intimate garden within Prague Castle in the Hradčany district, forming part of the castle's so-called southern gardens together with the Garden on the Ramparts and the Hartig Garden. It is bordered by the castle palaces to the north, Hradčany Square to the west, the Castle Steps to the south, and merges seamlessly into the Garden on the Ramparts on its eastern side.

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

The area of today's garden was first laid out in the mid-16th century on the initiative of Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol, and later further developed under Emperor Rudolf II — both Habsburgs treated the grounds surrounding the castle as a representative space befitting a royal residence. The work continued under Rudolf's brother, Matthias, during whose reign the distinctive cylindrical pavilion was built on the boundary between the Paradise Garden and the Garden on the Ramparts; it is sometimes referred to as the Matthias Pavilion. The name "Paradise" itself only became associated with the garden in the first half of the 18th century.

Another decisive chapter in the garden's history came in the 1920s, when it underwent a thorough reconstruction under the direction of the Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik, one of the key figures behind the modern appearance of Prague Castle during the interwar period. It was during this period that the double portal with a staircase was created, through which visitors enter the garden from the west, from the landing above the Castle Steps. Plečnik also placed a monumental stone bowl at the center of the lawn — an element that remains the garden's visual centerpiece to this day and one of the most recognizable details of his design work within the castle grounds.

What is there to see?

The Paradise Garden stands out for the simplicity of its layout — unlike the more ornate, baroque garden compositions found elsewhere, here an open lawn dominates, framed by the castle walls and views over the rooftops of Hradčany. Plečnik's centrally placed stone bowl serves as a natural focal point for visitors and is a clear example of the architect's characteristically minimalist yet monumental approach to form. The pavilion from Emperor Matthias's era is also worth noting, as it testifies to an earlier, Renaissance-period phase in the shaping of this part of the castle grounds.

Thanks to its position, the garden also offers an unusual perspective on Prague Castle's buildings — from an angle far less photographed than the main courtyard or St. Vitus Cathedral, making it an appealing stop for visitors seeking a quieter corner of the castle complex.

Protection and heritage status

As part of the wider Prague Castle complex, the Paradise Garden has been protected since 1964 as a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic. This status covers the entire castle complex along with its surrounding gardens, including the Paradise Garden, the Garden on the Ramparts, and the Hartig Garden.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the character of the site — an open, grassy space without covered attractions — the best time to visit is during spring and summer, when the garden's greenery is at its most striking and the longer days make it easy to combine a walk through the gardens with the rest of a Prague Castle visit. It is worth checking the castle gardens' current opening hours before visiting, as these can vary by season.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Paradise Garden located? Within Prague Castle in Hradčany, as part of the southern garden complex, between the castle palaces and Hradčany Square.

Where does the garden's name come from? The name "Paradise" became associated with the garden in the first half of the 18th century, although the garden itself had already been taking shape since the 16th century.

Who designed the garden's current appearance? Its present form, including the distinctive double portal with staircase and the stone bowl at the center of the lawn, dates from a 1920s reconstruction led by architect Josip Plečnik.

Is the garden protected as a heritage site? Yes — since 1964, as part of the entire Prague Castle complex, it has held the status of a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic.