Zahrada na terase Jízdárny

Zahrada na terase Jízdárny (Garden on the Riding School Terrace) is one of the lesser-known yet particularly charming corners of Prague Castle — a garden built on the rooftop of what used to be garages and car workshops belonging to the Office of the President of the Republic. Unlike the South Gardens or the Paradise Garden, whose history stretches back to the Renaissance, this terrace is the youngest of the castle's gardens, created only between 1950 and 1956 on the site of a former open-air riding school (jízdárna), which gave the garden its name.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The entrance to the garden is from U Prašného mostu street, right next to the Riding School building (Jízdárna Pražského hradu), which today serves as an exhibition hall. The terrace covers an area of 3,452 m² and sits at an elevation of roughly 260 meters above sea level, offering wide views over the castle rooftops and the surrounding Hradčany district.

What style does the garden follow?

Although the terrace itself is a relatively modern structure, its layout was designed in a Baroque spirit — symmetrical flower beds, trimmed greenery, and a classical composition echoing the castle's historic gardens. In 2007 the garden underwent a thorough renovation, during which the castle's gardeners gave it a new, clearer arrangement of plantings and pathways.

What can visitors do here?

The garden was designed for quiet relaxation right in the heart of the historic castle complex. In one corner of the terrace, near the entrance from the Powder Bridge side, there is a café with outdoor seating where visitors can rest with a coffee after touring other parts of the castle. The space is also occasionally used for small concerts and cultural events, giving it a more intimate character compared to the castle's grander, more ceremonial gardens.

When can you visit?

The Garden on the Riding School Terrace is open to the public free of charge, but only seasonally — from April to October. Outside that period the garden remains closed, in line with several other green spaces at Prague Castle that stay dormant over winter.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, admission to the terrace is completely free, as it is for most of Prague Castle's gardens.

Is the garden open all year round? No — it is open seasonally, from April to October.

Where does the garden's name come from? The name comes from the former open-air riding school (jízdárna) that once stood on this site, before the current rooftop terrace was built in the 1950s on top of utility buildings.

Is there somewhere to sit down and get something to eat? Yes, there is a café with outdoor seating in the corner of the garden near the entrance from the Powder Bridge.

How does this garden differ from the other Castle gardens? It is the youngest of the castle's gardens — created in the mid-20th century on a rooftop, while the other gardens at Prague Castle date back several centuries.