Valdštejnská zahrada

Wallenstein Garden (Valdštejnská zahrada) is one of the most charming green spaces in Prague 1 — a sprawling park laid out between 1623 and 1630 for Albrecht von Wallenstein, the celebrated military commander of the Thirty Years' War, beside his monumental palace. It was designed by Italian architects Andrea Spezza and Niccolo Sebregondi, who brought the spirit of early Baroque and Mannerist garden art from Italy straight to Prague.

What is the main highlight of the garden?

The centerpiece of the whole estate is the sala terrena, an open, colonnaded hall attached to the palace and completed in 1629. It is the largest sala terrena in Prague, and its vaulted ceiling is covered with frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology, including Olympian motifs and episodes from the Trojan War. The paintings were meant to underline the owner's military ambitions and classical education, as Wallenstein liked to compare himself to ancient heroes.

What is the mysterious aviary wall?

Between the garden wall and the sala terrena stands a striking historic aviary built into an artificial stalactite wall resembling a rocky grotto. Originally designed for breeding exotic birds, the aviary today houses eagle owls, which visitors can observe up close while walking along the path. The fantastical, grotesque shape of the wall reflects the period fashion for artificial grottoes and illusionistic garden architecture.

What garden style does it represent?

Wallenstein Garden combines Mannerist elements with Italian Renaissance spatial planning: geometric paths, ponds, fountains, and bronze statues (copies of the originals, which were carried off to Sweden during the Thirty Years' War) create a coherent composition typical of aristocratic residences from the first half of the 17th century. The park is considered one of the most important examples of early Baroque garden art in Central Europe.

Who takes care of the garden today?

Since the post-war period, the garden and the adjoining palace have been administered by the Senate of the Czech Republic, which uses the palace as its seat. Despite its representative role, the garden is open to the public free of charge during the spring and summer season, making it one of the most popular green spots in central Prague.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, admission to Wallenstein Garden is free, and the garden is open to visitors seasonally.

What is a sala terrena? It is an open, colonnaded garden hall used for representative and viewing purposes, decorated with mythological frescoes — the largest structure of its kind in Prague.

What birds live in the aviary? The historic aviary set into the artificial stalactite wall is home to eagle owls.

Who founded the garden? The garden was created on the initiative of Albrecht von Wallenstein between 1623 and 1630, designed by Italian architects Andrea Spezza and Niccolo Sebregondi.

Where exactly is the garden located? The garden is located in Prague 1, right next to the Wallenstein Palace, the current seat of the Czech Senate.