Wallenstein Garden
Wallenstein Garden forms part of the palace complex in Malá Strana that now houses the Senate of the Czech Republic. Its formal paths, monumental hall and unusual grotto wall make it a rewarding place to pause during a walk through the neighbourhood.
A Baroque garden for the palace
The garden was laid out alongside Wallenstein Palace in the 1620s. Its early Baroque design extends the palace’s architecture into an outdoor setting, with fountains, sculpture and carefully arranged views.
The sala terrena and grotto
The tall, open-fronted sala terrena links the palace to the garden. Its frescoes and stucco decoration draw on the Trojan War and continue the themes found inside the palace. The space has also been used for concerts and theatre performances.
Across the garden, an artificial grotto wall imitates a limestone cave. Its strange shapes invite a closer look: what first seems like a cluster of faces or skulls is a landscape made from stone and plaster. An aviary stands nearby.
Sculptures and fountains
Many of the garden’s sculptures reproduce works by the Dutch sculptor Adriaen de Vries. Swedish troops took the originals as spoils of war at the end of the Thirty Years’ War. Copies were installed in the garden in the early 20th century.
The figures draw on classical mythology. A fountain on the small island in the pond adds another focal point, while the water and the garden’s birds give the formal setting a livelier character.
A pause in Malá Strana
The garden is close to our house on Mostecká and can be combined with a walk towards Klárov or Prague Castle. Check the Senate’s current visitor information for opening dates and any events before planning a visit.