Page 128 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

126  PR A GUE AREA B Y AREA

1 Wallenstein
Palace and Garden
Valdštejnský Palác a Zahrada
Valdštejnské náměstí 4. Map 2 E3.
X Malostranská. Tel 257 075 707.
v 12, 18, 20, 22. Palace: Open 10am–
5pm Sat & Sun. 8 call in advance to
arrange. ^ 7 from Valdštejnská.
Garden: Open Apr–Oct: 10am–6pm
daily (Jun–Sep: 10am–7pm). Riding
school: Open for exhibitions 9am–
7pm Tue–Sun. 7 from Valdštejnské
náměstí. ∑ senat.cz
The first large secular building
of the Baroque era in Prague,
the palace stands as a monu­
ment to the fatal ambition of The main hall of Wallenstein Palace
military commander Albrecht
von Wallenstein (1581–1634). the municipal brick kiln. The copies of works by Adriaen de
His string of victories over the magnificent main hall rises to Vries that were stolen by the
Protestants in the 30 Years’ War a height of two storeys with a Swedes in 1648 (see pp32–3).
(see pp32–3) made him vital to ceiling fresco of Wallenstein There is also a pavilion with
Emperor Ferdinand II. Already himself portrayed as Mars, the fine frescoes showing scenes
showered with titles, Wallenstein god of war, riding in a triumphal from the legend of the
started to covet the crown of chariot. The architect, Andrea Argonauts and the Golden
Bohemia. When he dared to Spezza, and nearly all the Fleece. Wallenstein was a
negotiate independently with artists employed in the holder of the Order of the
the enemy, he was killed on the decoration of the palace Golden Fleece, the highest
emperor’s orders by mercenaries were Italians. order of chivalry of the Holy
in the town of Cheb in 1634. Today, the palace is Roman Empire. At the far
Wallenstein’s intention was to used as the home of end of the garden is a
overshadow even Prague Castle the Czech Senate large ornamental
with his palace, built between (the upper house of pond with a central
1624 and 1630. To obtain a parliament) and is statue. Behind this
suitable site, he had to purchase open to the public. stands the old Riding
23 houses, three gardens and The gardens are laid School, now used
out as they were when to house special
Palace Wallenstein dined in exhibitions by the
the huge sala terrena National Gallery.
(garden pavilion) that Both gardens and
looks out over a fountain riding school have
and rows of bronze undergone sub­
statues. These are stantial restoration.
Copy of a bronze statue of Eros
Sala terrena by Adriaen de Vries

Avenue of sculptures
Valdštejnská
Riding School Street entrance

Letenská Statue of
The grotesquery is a curious
imitation of the walls of a limestone Street Hercules
cave, covered in stalactites. entrance Klárov entrance

126-127_EW_Prague.indd 126 22/03/2017 12:30
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm