About this place
Zahrada Na Baště (Garden on the Bastion) is one of Prague's quieter yet remarkably atmospheric corners, tucked along the western edge of the Prague Castle complex, right next to the Fourth Courtyard. Its name recalls the remains of older medieval fortifications discovered on the site — a find that gave the garden its present-day identity.
Who designed the garden?
The garden's current, modern layout was created by the Slovenian architect Josip (Jože) Plečnik, one of the key figures behind the interwar reconstruction of Prague Castle. Plečnik designed Zahrada Na Baště in 1932, drawing inspiration from both Italian and Japanese garden traditions. That blend gave the space a distinctive, restrained character that sets it apart from the more classical garden layouts found elsewhere on the castle grounds.
Why does the 2025 restoration matter?
Over ninety years, the garden's appearance shifted many times, and Plečnik's original vision was gradually obscured by later alterations. In 2025, following careful study of historical sources and original design documentation, the garden underwent a comprehensive restoration that returned it to the form the architect had envisioned nearly a century earlier. This was a meaningful moment for the preservation of Prague Castle's architectural heritage, since Zahrada Na Baště forms an integral part of the wider system of castle gardens that Plečnik shaped over many years of work.
How do you get there?
Access to Zahrada Na Baště is from the direction of Prašný most (the Powder Bridge), running along the Castle's north wing above Jelení příkop, the old moat known today as the Deer Moat. The walk itself is part of the appeal: it offers a rarely photographed view of the castle and lets visitors bypass the crowds gathered in the main courtyards.
What makes this garden different from the Castle's other green spaces?
Unlike the grand, formal gardens elsewhere at Prague Castle, Zahrada Na Baště feels more intimate and contemplative. Its combination of clean, geometric forms typical of Italian garden design with the restraint and minimalism of Japanese aesthetics makes it a natural spot for a quiet walk away from the bustle of touristic Prague. Traces of the old defensive fortifications, embedded in both the garden's name and its history, are a reminder of the centuries of military use this part of the castle hill once served.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Zahrada Na Baště located? The garden lies on the western edge of the Prague Castle complex, adjacent to the Fourth Courtyard, in Prague's Hradčany district.
Who designed the garden, and when? It was designed in 1932 by the Slovenian architect Josip (Jože) Plečnik.
Why is the garden called "Na Baště"? The name refers to remains of older medieval fortifications found at the site.
Has the garden been restored recently? Yes — in 2025, after more than ninety years, the garden regained its original Plečnik-designed appearance through a restoration based on historical research.
How do you reach the garden? The best route is via Prašný most, walking along the Castle's north wing above Jelení příkop (the Deer Moat).
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