Štulcovy sady

Štulcovy sady is the oldest park within Prague's Vyšehrad fortress, tucked into its northwestern corner in the Prague 2 district. This small, intimate garden was laid out in 1873–1874 on the initiative of Václav Štulc, then provost of the Vyšehrad chapter, and today it offers a quiet break from the crowds along the main sightseeing route through the fortress.

Where does the park's name come from?

The park is named after its founder, Václav Štulc (1814–1887), a priest and national activist who, as provost of the Vyšehrad chapter, had the garden created alongside the construction of the New Provostship building. It was originally called Svatováclavské sady — St Wenceslas Gardens — a name tied to the statue that still stands at its center.

What is the park's history?

For decades the garden remained private, enclosed, and accessible only from the south, through a neo-Gothic gate bearing the coat of arms of the Vyšehrad chapter — a gate that survives to this day. It wasn't until 1954 that the park was redesigned, under a plan by landscape architect Jiří Novotný, and opened to the general public visiting Vyšehrad. From that point on, Štulcovy sady stopped being a private clergy garden and became an everyday part of a walk around the fortress.

What is there to see inside?

The centerpiece of the garden is an equestrian statue of St Wenceslas, created by sculptor Jan Jiří Bendl in 1678. The statue did not originate here — it originally stood elsewhere in Prague, at the former Horse Market, and was only moved to the Vyšehrad park in 1879, where it remains the oldest single element of the whole site. A second notable memorial is a pseudo-Gothic monument holding a bronze bust of Václav Štulc himself, made by sculptor Štěpán Zálešák and installed in the park in 1910, honoring the garden's founder.

What does the landscape feel like?

Štulcovy sady covers a modest area of under a third of a hectare, sitting at an elevation of roughly 223–226 meters above sea level. Old lime trees give the garden deep summer shade, and its paths are surfaced in packed clay rather than paved stone, encouraging an unhurried pace. A path along the eastern edge of the park leads to a viewpoint over the Vltava, with the Hradčany skyline visible on the far bank — reason enough on its own to step off the main Vyšehrad route.

Who is this park for?

It suits visitors touring Vyšehrad who want a pause between its bigger draws, such as the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul or the Slavín cemetery nearby. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of here, and that's rather the point — this is a spot for people who value quiet corners and a view over crowds and amenities.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Štulcovy sady located? In the northwestern part of Vyšehrad, in Prague's second district, right at the bend of Štulcova street.

Who founded the park, and when? Václav Štulc, provost of the Vyšehrad chapter, established it in 1873–1874.

Was the park always open to the public? No — it was originally private and enclosed, reserved for the provostship. It only opened to the public after a 1954 redesign.

What is the park's main attraction? An equestrian statue of St Wenceslas from 1678 by Jan Jiří Bendl, the oldest feature on the site.

Does the park offer any views? Yes, the path along its eastern edge leads to a spot overlooking the Hradčany skyline across the river.