Page 50 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

48  INTRODUCING PR A GUE

Prague’s Best: Palaces and Gardens

Prague’s palaces and gardens are among the most important
historical and architectural monuments in the city. Many
palaces house museums or galleries (see pp40–43), and
some are concert venues. The gardens range from formal,
walled oases with fountains and grand statuary, to open
spaces beyond the city centre.
This map features some of
the best palaces and gardens,
with a detailed overview on
pages 50–51.
Belvedere
The Singing Fountain (1568) stands
in front of the exquisite Renaissance
Royal Garden summer palace.
Though redesigned in the
19th century, the Renaissance
garden preserves much of its Prague Castle and
original character. Historic Hradčany
statues still in place include
a pair of Baroque lions (1730)
guarding the entrance.

Little
Quarter

South Gardens
Starting life as the Castle’s defensive bastions, these
gardens afford a wonderful view of Prague. First
laid out as a park in 1891, their present design was
landscaped by Slovene architect Josip Plečnik
40 years later.

Wallenstein Palace
Built in 1624–30 for Duke
Albrecht of Wallenstein,
this vast Baroque palace
was intended to outshine
Prague Castle. Over 20
houses and a town gate
were demolished to make
room for the palace and Wallenstein Garden
garden. This Fountain of The garden statues are copies
Venus (1599) stands in of 17th-century bronzes. The
front of the arches of originals were plundered by
the sala terrena. the Swedes in 1648.

048-049_EW_Prague.indd 48 20/03/17 11:28 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Flashmap template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 19th July 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm