sady Národního odboje

Sady Národního odboje (Gardens of the National Resistance) is a compact but historically charged park in Brno, sitting right where three city districts meet — Královo Pole, Žabovřesky and the city centre — between Šelepová and Klusáčková streets. The name isn't decorative: this small green space carries one of Brno's more sobering wartime stories.

Why does the park carry this name?

During the German occupation, an internment camp known as Pod Kaštany operated on this exact spot. The secret police held Czech resistance members here before transferring them for interrogation — either to Gestapo headquarters, now the Law Faculty building of Masaryk University, or to the more distant Kounic Barracks. Many of those detained belonged to Brno's Sokol movement and were connected to the underground resistance group "Jindra." A grey marble memorial standing in the park today marks the site of the former camp, and it's the one physical trace of that history worth seeking out on a walk through.

What does the park look like today?

Covering roughly 1.5 hectares, Sady Národního odboje has long been associated with the Šelepka club, founded in the late 1960s and still a fixture with a loyal following among nearby residents. A full revitalisation in 2010 reshaped the space: new paths were laid, a large children's playground and a dedicated dog run were added, and fresh trees and flower beds went in. What was once a place defined mainly by tragedy now functions primarily as a neighbourhood park — somewhere families, dog walkers and locals come for a patch of green close to the centre.

When is the best time to visit?

The park works year-round, but the period around the anniversary of liberation stands out — since 2005, it has hosted the "Nebe plné hvězd" (Sky Full of Stars) concert, a multi-genre music event that draws people from across Brno. It's a good moment to experience the park not just as a green pocket but as a place of living memory. Outside that event, the gardens make a quiet stop on the way between Královo Pole and the centre — less of a tourist draw than Brno's larger parks, but genuinely local and unpretentious.

How do you get there?

Sitting at the junction of three districts, the park is easy to reach from several directions — on foot or by tram toward Královo Pole and Žabovřesky, with stops near Šelepová and Klusáčková streets. It works well as a stopover for anyone exploring northern Brno who wants a short break in greenery on the way toward the centre.

Frequently asked questions

Is there anything to see besides greenery? Yes — a grey marble memorial commemorating the victims of the Pod Kaštany internment camp, and the site of the long-running Šelepka club, active since the late 1960s.

Is the park suitable for a visit with children? Yes, following the 2010 revitalisation the park has a large children's playground and new walking paths.

Is there a dog run? Yes, a dedicated dog run was added as part of the park's revitalisation.

When do cultural events take place here? Since 2005, around the anniversary of liberation, the park hosts the "Nebe plné hvězd" concert featuring music of various genres.