Hidden within Prague Castle’s embrace lies Rajská zahrada a paradise indeed. Its name speaks truth. You stand before a garden that has witnessed centuries unfold.
Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol began shaping this space in the mid-16th century. Emperor Rudolf II and his brother Matthias continued the work. They created the cylindrical pavilion a structure that still stands today bridging the Rajská zahrada and the Gardens on the Ramparts. A defensive wall from 1849 further adds to the garden’s historical layers.
Rajská zahrada’s transformation continued in 1920 under the masterful hand of the renowned Slovenian architect Plečnik. His original vision a monumental monolith topped with a lantern and a Bohemian lion statue was ambitious. This monolith intended to reach the second courtyard of the New Royal Palace near Masaryk’s apartment. A model of the lion remains a part of the Prague Castle’s permanent exhibition. The final design would have included an obelisk carved from a single piece of marble. Unfortunately this obelisk broke during transportation. A smaller obelisk was eventually crafted but instead of finding its place in Rajská zahrada it now stands in the Third Courtyard of Prague Castle.
Today Rajská zahrada boasts a unique stone bowl carved from a single piece of Moravian marble. It’s a breathtaking garden feature. A substantial staircase leads to Lion’s Gate and the castle’s wine cellars. Near this staircase is the entrance to a vaulted corridor where Plečnik planned to build a castle chapel. Bronze statues by Josef Kalvoda stand as silent sentinels. A centuries-old yew tree the oldest in the castle gardens quietly observes all from near the circular basin.
The President’s private entrance a gate with gilded doors stands near the stone basin. The doors are adorned with symbols of Czechoslovakia a Bohemian lion Slovak lightning bolts and linden branches.
The jewel of Rajská zahrada is arguably Matthias’s pavilion. Its interior ceiling is a masterpiece featuring painted emblems representing Matthias’s lands from the 17th century.
Rajská zahrada is more than just a garden. It is a living testament to Prague’s history an enchanting blend of past and present a true paradise within a city of wonders. Enjoy your time in this captivating place.