Vrtba Garden: A Baroque Jewel in Prague's Lesser Town
Discover Prague's hidden Baroque garden with stunning city views, a UNESCO site near Charles Bridge in Malá Strana.
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.
Local tips
- Look for the discreet entrance on Karmelitská Street, as it's easy to miss.
- Visit during the week to avoid larger crowds.
- Bring your camera to capture the stunning views of Prague Castle and Malá Strana.
- Allow at least one hour to explore all three levels of the garden.
- Check out the temporary art exhibitions often held in a small room near the entrance.
A brief summary to The Vrtba Garden
- Karmelitská 25, Malá Strana, 118 00, CZ
- +420603233912
- Visit website
Getting There
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Walking
From Malostranské náměstí (Lesser Town Square), walk south on Karmelitská Street. The entrance to Vrtba Garden is at Karmelitská 25, a discreet gate that's easy to miss. It's located near the crossroads of Karmelitská Street and Tržiště Street. Look for the sign; the entrance resembles a driveway more than a grand entrance.
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Public Transport
Take tram lines 12, 20, 22, or 91 to the Malostranské náměstí stop. From there, walk south on Karmelitská Street to number 25. A single 30-minute public transport ticket costs 30 CZK. Validate your ticket upon entering the tram.
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Taxi
Taxis are readily available in Prague. A short taxi ride from the Old Town Square to Vrtba Garden will cost approximately 170 CZK - 210 CZK and take around 3 minutes. Ensure the taximeter is reset at the beginning of the journey. Ride-sharing services like Uber are also available.
