About this place
Wilsonův les (Wilson's Forest) is a forest park on the southern edge of Brno's Žabovřesky district, ranking among the city's largest green spaces alongside Lužánky park. It covers more than 34 hectares and offers roughly 8 kilometers of walking paths through deciduous trees, pines, and Douglas firs.
When was the forest created?
The park was established in 1888, marking the fortieth anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. For the occasion, an enormous monogram — FJE, the initials of the imperial couple, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth — was planted from conifers on the hillside, visible from the opposite hill and the valley below. The forest was originally named Kaiserwald.
Why is it called Wilson's Forest?
The name has changed several times along with the region's political history. After Czechoslovakia became independent in 1918, the forest was renamed in honor of American president Woodrow Wilson, who supported the country's independence. During the Second World War it reverted to Kaiserwald, under socialism it was named after the writer Alois Jirásek, and since 1991 the name Wilsonův les has been restored.
What can visitors find in the forest today?
In the 1970s, a clearing was cut into the upper part of the hill for an artificial-surface ski slope, which was later abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 2001, the Brno Public Greenery Administration (Veřejná zeleň města Brna) took over the neglected forest park and has been gradually restoring it since. In 2010, with contributions from local residents, a viewing gazebo was built on the upper part of the hill, offering views over the surrounding area.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Wilsonův les? The forest park covers more than 34 hectares and contains about 8 kilometers of walking paths.
Why does the forest carry the name of an American president? It was renamed after Woodrow Wilson in 1918, when Czechoslovakia gained independence and Wilson was seen as a supporter of that independence. Before that it was called Kaiserwald, after Emperor Franz Joseph I, and the name changed again more than once before Wilsonův les was restored for good in 1991.
Where exactly is the forest located? On the southern edge of Brno's Žabovřesky district, close to the city center.
Is there a viewpoint in the forest? Yes — a viewing gazebo has stood on the upper part of the hill since 2010, built with help from local residents.
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