Vrtba Garden: A Baroque Jewel in Prague's Lesser Town

The Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada in Czech) is one of Prague's most beautiful and significant Baroque gardens. Located in the heart of Malá Strana, very near the Lesser Town Square, its discreet entrance on Karmelitská Street leads to a serene world of sculpted greenery, elegant staircases, and stunning views. Commissioned by Jan Josef, Count of Vrtba, the garden was designed in 1720 by František Maxmilián Kaňka, the architect also responsible for the Astronomical Tower in Clementinum. The garden's design incorporates French and Italian Baroque styles, adapting to the steep slope of Petřín Hill with a series of terraces. Matthias Bernard Braun, who also created statues for the Charles Bridge, contributed the garden's sculptures, while Václav Vavřinec Reiner painted the frescoes in the Sala Terrena. The garden is laid out on three levels. The lowest terrace features a sala terrena adorned with frescoes and statues. A staircase, decorated with statues by Matyáš Braun, leads to the middle level. The top level offers panoramic views of Prague Castle, St. Nicholas Church, and the red rooftops of Malá Strana. The garden is a popular spot for weddings and photo shoots. After falling into disrepair during the Communist era, the Vrtba Garden underwent an extensive eight-year renovation and was reopened to the public in 1998. In 2019, it was awarded the International Garden Heritage Society Award and ranked as the second most beautiful and best-maintained historic garden in Europe.