Sady Dr. Bedřicha Pacáka

Sady Dr. Bedřicha Pacáka (Dr. Bedřich Pacák Gardens) is a small, intimate park in Kutná Hora, tucked directly beneath the walls of the Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr). Often mentioned in the same breath as the neighbouring Breüer Gardens, this particular stretch of greenery carries the name of a Czech lawyer and politician, and a walk through it pairs views over the Vrchlice river valley with the history of a town that grew rich on silver.

Where does the park's name come from?

The gardens are named after JUDr. Bedřich Pacák, a lawyer and politician tied to the Kutná Hora region. In 1895 he was granted honorary citizenship of Kutná Hora, and from 1891 until his death in 1914 he sat in the Imperial Council, the Austrian parliament, representing the rural constituency covering Čáslav and Kutná Hora. Shortly after his death, the town council chose to honour him by naming the municipal gardens after him. A stone bearing the inscription "Sady Dr. Bedřicha Pacáka" still stands in the lower part of the park as a reminder of that decision.

How does it fit into the wider grounds below the Italian Court?

The Pacák Gardens are not an isolated patch of green — together with the adjoining Breüer Gardens and the terraces below the archdeanery, they form one larger complex known as the park below the Italian Court. The entire area once belonged to Marie Breüerová (1886–1966), who inherited it from her father Jan Breüer (1832–1893), a former mayor of Kutná Hora. The layout was designed by professor Arnošt Černovský the Younger, a respected landscape architect, and at the time it was the largest park project of its kind in Bohemia. In recent years the whole complex underwent a thorough renovation and reopened to the public, gaining new resting spots and viewpoints in its rear section.

What can you see from the park?

The gardens' biggest draw is their position on a slope falling toward the Vrchlice river valley. From the upper part of the park there are views of St. Barbara's Church and the former Jesuit college — two of the most recognisable silhouettes of Kutná Hora, a town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Italian Court itself, right next to the gardens, is a preserved royal residence founded before 1300 by King Wenceslas II. It housed a royal mint where silver Prague groschen and thalers were struck, coins that underpinned the medieval Bohemian economy.

What else is there to see in the gardens?

Within the park stands a small stone fountain, listed among the local minor heritage monuments. The quiet setting is also used for cultural events — open-air concerts and wine tastings organised by local wineries take place here, drawing both residents and visitors to the town.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly are the Dr. Bedřich Pacák Gardens located? The park lies directly below the Italian Court in Kutná Hora, as part of a larger green complex that also includes the Breüer Gardens and the terraces below the archdeanery.

Who was Bedřich Pacák? He was a lawyer and politician, an honorary citizen of Kutná Hora from 1895, and a member of the Imperial Council representing the Čáslav–Kutná Hora constituency until his death in 1914.

Is entry to the park free? Yes, as a public municipal green space, the park is open to everyone free of charge.

What is worth seeing nearby? Right next door stands the Italian Court with its former royal mint, and from the park's terraces you can see St. Barbara's Church, one of Kutná Hora's landmarks.

Are events held in the park? Yes, the gardens host open-air concerts and wine tastings organised by local wineries during the summer season.