That is what Prague looked like in 1790 in the view from Strahov. Apart from the high quota of gardens in Petřín area the non-existence of the Old Town embankment and the "wilderness" on the Letná are noticable (Leopold Peukert).
Artificial Parks and Gardens
Parks and gardens form integral features of the image of the capital of the Czech Republic. A search in history reveals that the oldest still existing garden formed part of a bishop's mansion founded in the Lesser Town in 1248. At present we know its many times changed fragment as Vojanovy Sady. The Old Town had mostly minor gardens of individual citizens. Of major significance were the monastery gardens. Generally speaking, however, the gardens played an insignificant role in the picture of the medieval city.
The situation changed in the reign of Emperor Charles IV. When founding the New Town of Prague, this in many respects enlightened ruler did not forget green areas and in 1358 he issued an ordinance on the establishment of vineyards and orchards "... on all hills within three miles of the city ...". The vineyard founder was exempted from taxes for twelve years. The Emperor's name appears once again in relation to gardens. The first separate apothecary garden covering approximately one hectare originated in the second half of the 14th century approximately on the site of the present Main Post Office in Jindřišská Street. It was called "Angel Garden" after Angelo, the apothecary particularly favoured by the Emperor in 1360.
The same period saw the origin of the gardens of six monasteries in the New Town of Prague and on many other sites. It is interesting to note that the Royal Garden with the Belvedere summer house did not originate until 1535. Also the Royal Game Preserve on the White Mountain dates from the Renaissance, when it originated in connection with the construction of the Hvězda (Star) summer house. The Wallenstein Garden dates from the turn of the Renaissance and the Baroque. It is one of the most important Prague gardens because of its location in the historical centre. The garden of the Troja Castle is purely Baroque, similarly as the Vrtba Garden, considered the most beautiful of Prague gardens.
Another development phase was characterized by the return to nature resulting in the origin of the so-called English parks represented in Prague e.g. by Kinský Garden, and the so-called decorative estate, charaterized by the composition of the Cibulka park in Košíře. At that time the status of the bourgeoisie as a significant economic element of society improved which gave rise to the origin of publically accessible parks and gardens. The oldest facility of this type in Prague is the Chotkovy Sady park, established and developed in 1833 on the site of the former timber storage area and made accessible to the public in 1841.
The second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century represent the brightest period of the history of Prague park development. It was the period of modification of older parks and gardens and of frequent magnificent composition of new parks, such as Riegrovy Sady on the outskirts of Vinohrady, laid out in 1904 - 1908. After the origin of independent Czechoslovak Republic in 1918 the establishment of new parks and gardens was exceptional and their areas were small. The only exception is the Zoological Garden and later on the Botanical Garden in Troja.
At present hundreds of historical as well as modern parks are registered in the territory of Prague, described in a specialized publication (O. Bašeová, 1991). The alphabetical list which follows mentions selectively some more important parks and gardens.
Bertramka is the garden of the former vineyard farm of the same name, connected inseparably with W. A. Mozart's stay in Prague. The garden was adapted to an English park and reconstructed in 1956.
Bohnice Park in the area of the psychiatric institutions was laid out at the beginning of the 20th century and represents a bright exception by its concept and size. Both are well illustrated by an aerial photograph on p. 27.
Botanical Garden of Charles University in the streen Na Slupi originated at the end of the 19th century. It serves primarily scientific purposes and is limited by ambient buildings. It is open to public and enjoys great popularity.
Prague Botanical Garden The very restricted area of the Botanical Garden of the University resulted in the foundation of a new botanical garden in Troja in 1968, covering 130 ha. It comprises also some specially protected areas (such as Salabka and Havránka). At present it is under development, but its value and attendance are increasing continuously.
Cibulka in Košíře - decorative park in English style with numerous supplementary buildings and statues. This highly valuable area, however, is in need of reconstruction.
Dientzenhoferovy Sady in Smíchov represents actually a minute fragment of the former University botanical garden founded in 1755 and abolished at the end of the 19th century in connection with the foundation of the Botanical Garden in the street Na Slupi.
Franciscan Garden is situated in the close proximity of Wenceslas Square. The original larger garden of the former Franciscan monastery was reduced in area successively. At present, after reconstruction, it ranks among the jewels of Prague.
Hvězda Game Preserve of Renaissance origin, founded in 1530 on the site of the Malejow wood, is a specially protected area at present.
Chotkovy Sady - the fist public municipal park, originated in 1833 -1841.
Karlovo Náměstí (Charles Square), the largest square in the Czech Republic; it was provided with an English park with outstanding solitary trees in 1870 - 1885.
Kinský Garden in Smíchov, adapted in English style about 1827 with excellent use of ground configuration.
Royal Game Preserve - Stromovka - founded by Přemysl Otakar II in 1268, modified and, unfortunately, reduced in size several times in the course of time. Specially protected area at present.
Ledeburg and Small Fürstenberg Gardens below Prague Castle make good use of great elevation differences by a system of terraces and stairs. Exquisite decorative element of Prague Castle panorama.
Petřín - a group of several gardens separated by walls, comprizing the Kinský Garden, Lobkovicz Garden, Nebozízek, Look-Out Tower Garden, Rose Garden, Seminary Garden and Strahov Garden. At present a specially protected area of Petřín Rocks (partly).
Riegrovy Sady on the outskirts of Vinohrady, partly on the site of the famous Kanálka Garden, a testimony to the openhanded foundation of a municipal public park in 1904 - 1908.
Střelecký Ostrov (Sharpshooters Island) opposite National Theatre with a park adapted after 1945.
Troja Castle Garden Baroque garden developed in the second half of the 17th century.
Wallenstein Garden, developed at the turn of the Renaissance and the Baroque (1623 - 1629), one of the best known Prague gardens.
Vojanovy Sady, partly on the site of the bishop's mansion garden of 1248 in the Lesser Town.
Vrtba Garden in the Lesser Town, considered the most beautiful of Prague gardens. Baroque composition on several levels, supplemented with sculptural decorations by M. B. Braun.
Vyšehrad Park originated at the end of the 19th century within the citadel. Park development continued until the 60s of the 20th century. Sculptures i.a. by J. V. Myslbek.
Zoological Garden, one of the most beautiful zoos in Europe. Built in 1924 - 1931 on an area of over 60 hectares, it makes excellent use of articulated grounds as a result of which numerous species have their natural habitat (see p. 54). It has great merits in the preservation of some dying-out animals among which mention should be made at least of the Przewalski horse. Prague zoo keeps its breeding book and is the world patron of this threatened species.
Most Prague parks and gardens are not significant for their size. Often they form almost intimate spaces. However, due to their great diversity and distribution in all parts of Prague they contribute greatly to the typical picture of the city.
In conclusion, however, we must mention also their significance for nature protection. At the time of their origin they served frequently as refugia of plants and animals from the ambient successively built-up areas. Their present significance for the city nature is even greater. The Royal Game Preserve, for instance, offers the nesting site to several dozens of bird species and even bats. Old trees offer valuable living environment to a number of threatened species of beetles and other insects.
Analogously the park grass frequently hosts valuable plant species which would be difficult to find in the ambient landscape. Therefore, the care of these areas must respect not only the criteria of monument conservation and architecture, but also those of nature protection.
That is what Prague looked like in 1790 in the view from Strahov. Apart from the high quota of gardens in Petřín area the non-existence of the Old Town embankment and the "wilderness" on the Letná are noticable (Leopold Peukert).
Prague Botanical Garden in Troja ranks among the most important gardens laid out in recent years.
Prague Castle is surrounded by a ring of historical parks and gardens.
Smíchov in 1790 - 1830 according to the synthetic plan drafted by E. Hnilička and Z. Wirth (1955). Interesting is the high quota of parks and gardens. The Sharpshooters Island (1), the Botanical Garden of the University (78), the Portheimka (79), the at present non-existent Vltava island opposite 77, a brook along the south margin, approximately on the site of the present Lidice Street, and the fortifications of the Lesser Town in extreme south.