Vineyard house in Modřany

The Vineyard House in Modřany is a historic wine-grower's cottage standing above one of Prague's oldest working vineyards, perched on a slope right where the Berounka river flows into the Vltava. It pairs medieval history with a vineyard that is still tended today, making it a quiet counterpoint to the crowded sights of the city center.

Where does this vineyard come from?

The first record of vine-growing in Modřany dates back to 1178, when Prince Soběslav II granted the land to the Vyšehrad Chapter. In 1715 the vineyard passed to the Prague Archbishopric and became known as the Archbishop's Vineyard. In the early 19th century the Archbishopric expanded cultivation to roughly two hectares, and the wine-grower's house itself dates from this same period, the end of the 18th century — a modest farmstead building now valued as an example of suburban estate architecture from two hundred years ago.

The vineyard's fortunes were not always smooth. It was sold off in the 1920s and went into decline, and a severe frost in 1929 wiped out most of the vines, so fruit trees were planted on the terraces instead. It wasn't until 1987 that members of the Czech Gardening Association took over the site, cleared the overgrown slope, rebuilt the stone terraces and replanted vines. Thanks to that revival, Modřany can claim an unbroken, if patchy, wine-growing tradition stretching back centuries.

What will you see there?

The vineyard now covers about 1.5 hectares, divided into small plots each tended by a different member of the gardening association. That structure makes the site interesting even for non-experts: every plot shows a different grape variety and a different approach to pruning and training the vines, so a walk between the terraces works almost like a hands-on lesson in viticulture. An orchard grows alongside the vines, and the restored wine-grower's house stands at the heart of the site as a reminder of its Archbishop-era past.

Right next to it, a former barn now houses the Stodola Modřany restaurant, serving traditional Czech food — a good place to sit down after a walk and take in the view of the slope dropping toward the two rivers.

How do you get there?

The vineyard sits at Chuchelská 1 in Prague's Modřany district (Praha 4/Praha 12), south of the city center. It is Prague's southernmost vineyard, a small distinction that appeals to anyone collecting the city's geographic curiosities. Because it's run by amateur gardeners rather than operated as a paid attraction, it doesn't keep fixed opening hours, so it's worth checking the vineyard's own website for current access information before visiting.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, as the vines start to bud, and autumn during harvest time show the plots at their liveliest. In summer the slope offers shade and river views, making it a pleasant walk even on hot days.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the wine-grower's house? The building today functions mainly as a landmark and symbol of the vineyard rather than a museum with regular visiting hours, so it's best to check current access on site.

Is the vineyard open to the public? The plots are cultivated by members of the Czech Gardening Association, but the slope and the paths between the terraces are open for anyone to walk through.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby? Yes — right next to the vineyard is the Stodola Modřany restaurant, set in a former barn and serving traditional Czech cuisine.

What makes this vineyard special in Prague? It's the oldest documented vineyard in this part of the city, first recorded in 1178, and it holds the title of Prague's southernmost vineyard.