Valdštejnská zahrada, located in the center of Prague, is the second largest garden in the city with over 14,000 square meters and is a part of the residence of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. Starting from April 2023, the garden will be open to the public every weekday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Special guided tours will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, to celebrate the opening of the new season.
The garden was designed in an Italian Mannerist park style, and Albrecht von Wallenstein, a famous military commander, actively participated in its design. The garden is divided into two parts. The more extensive section features the largest sala terrena in Prague, a fountain with a Venus and Cupid sculpture, an artificial stalactite wall, and an aviary. The smaller area of the garden features a large pool with an artificial island, a greenhouse, and a riding hall.
The garden has undergone several significant renovations since the 18th century, and the Senate took over its extensive reconstruction in the early 2000s, opening it to the public in 1996. The most prominent feature of the garden is the sala terrena, a monumental open-air structure that served primarily as an observation point for the Valdštejnská zahrada.
The interior decoration of the sala terrena follows the palace’s interior decoration, and there are 32 painted scenes mainly from ancient mythology. The ceiling is adorned with a fresco depicting the apotheosis of Albrecht von Wallenstein, painted by Dutch artist Pieter Isaacsz. The garden is a must-visit for those interested in architecture, history, and art.