Okružní městské sady in Plzeň

Okružní městské sady is a ring of parks encircling the historic center of Plzeň, laid out on the ground once occupied by the city's fortifications. Covering roughly 19 hectares in total, it is made up of six separate gardens that together form one of the most recognizable green spaces in the Czech city — a place for walking, relaxing and attending cultural events held throughout the year.

Where did the ring of parks around Plzeň's center come from?

The story starts in the first half of the 19th century. In 1828, work began on tearing down the fortifications that had defended the city's western side, and the cleared ground was gradually turned into representative promenades and ornamental gardens. Over time the walkways were enriched with statues and monuments honoring figures important to the city, and the park kept expanding until it wrapped around nearly the entire historic center.

What gardens make up the ring?

Okružní městské sady consists of six sections, each with its own name and character: Křižíkovy sady, Šafaříkovy sady, Kopeckého sady, Smetanovy sady, sady 5. května and sady Pětatřicátníků. Together they function as one continuous green belt around the city center, even though the individual stretches differ in layout and architectural detail.

What monuments and sculptures can you find there?

The gardens hold monuments to figures tied to Plzeň's history. There's a monument to František Křižík, a pioneer of electrification, a monument to mayor Martin Kopecký from 1861, and a monument to J.F. Smetana from 1874. A statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands here as well. Among the newer additions are a bronze horse sculpture by Michal Gabriel and a fountain featuring the sculpture "Mother with Child" by Jiří Hanzálek, blending the park's historic character with contemporary art.

What else is there to see in the park?

Beyond the monuments, the gardens feature the kind of garden architecture typical of 19th-century city parks: fountains, ponds, aviaries and an Art Nouveau kiosk. Potted trees line the walkways, including exotic species that give the park a distinctly ornamental feel in summer. Altogether, the space combines historic greenery with decorative elements added over the following decades.

What protection status do the gardens have?

Okružní městské sady form an integral part of Plzeň's urban heritage reserve. Since 3 May 1958 they have held the status of a cultural monument, confirming their historical and architectural significance to the city.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the park? The whole ring covers roughly 19 hectares.

How many sections make up Okružní městské sady? Six: Křižíkovy sady, Šafaříkovy sady, Kopeckého sady, Smetanovy sady, sady 5. května and sady Pětatřicátníků.

When was the park established? Its history begins in 1828, after the demolition of the city's western fortifications.

Since when has the park been protected as a monument? It has held cultural monument status since 3 May 1958.

What sculptures are worth seeing there? Among others, the monuments to František Křižík, Martin Kopecký and J.F. Smetana, the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, and Michal Gabriel's contemporary horse sculpture.