Park Vinice in Úvaly

Park Vinice is a municipal landscape park spread across the top of Vinice hill in Úvaly, a small town just east of Prague. At 299.1 metres above sea level, the hill is the highest point in town, and the park itself sits on ground with an unusually varied past — from vineyard, to quarry, to illegal dump.

Where does the name Vinice come from?

The name refers to a vineyard that grew on the hill's southern slope from as early as the 16th century. Wine was cultivated there for well over two hundred years, but the cost of tending the vines kept outpacing what the wine actually sold for. The vineyard was finally abandoned in 1783, and the hillside was put to other uses.

What happened to the site after the vineyard closed?

Once the vines were gone, a stone quarry operated on Vinice hill, supplying building material. After quarrying stopped, the resulting pit became a dumping ground during the socialist era — an unauthorised "black landfill" that scarred the hillside for decades and later complicated the work of turning the site back into usable green space.

When did the park open to the public?

Park Vinice opened to residents and visitors on 1 June 2020. The former landfill site was reshaped into a recreational green area with new plantings, walking paths and rest spots, while preserving the hill's natural shape.

What else is there to see nearby?

Near the summit stands a metal lookout tower, built between 2013 and 2015, with a viewing platform at roughly 21 metres. From the top there are views over Úvaly and the surrounding hills, and on a clear day toward Prague. From the tower runs the Alej úvalských dětí (Avenue of Úvaly Children), a municipal educational trail that leads to the Úvalské menhiry — a set of standing stones arranged on the hillside as a local landmark, sometimes jokingly called the "Úvaly Stonehenge".

Who is the park good for?

Park Vinice works both as the town's green lung and as a destination for a short walk or bike ride. Combining the park itself with the lookout tower, the educational trail and the menhirs, the area suits locals looking for everyday recreation as much as visitors doing a day trip from Prague, which is barely 20 minutes away by car.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Park Vinice located? The park sits on Vinice hill within the cadastral area of Úvaly, east of Prague, at the town's highest point.

Is there a lookout tower in the park? Yes, a metal lookout tower stands near the summit, with a viewing platform at around 21 metres offering views of the town and surrounding countryside.

What are the Úvalské menhiry? They are a group of standing stones set up near the park, reached via the Alej úvalských dětí, a municipal educational trail.

When was the park built? The park officially opened on 1 June 2020, on the site of a former quarry and illegal landfill.

Was there really a vineyard here before? Yes, grapes were grown on the hill's slope from the 16th century until 1783, which is where the name Vinice comes from.