- Address: Havlíčkovy sady, 120 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 236 044 111
Havlíčkovy Gardens is a large park in Prague , designed in the style of an English garden. It has the most interesting sights : a vineyard, founded several centuries ago, by Villa Moritz Greba and an old gazebo. In addition, the gardens are full of feathered inhabitants, which make the walk on them even more fascinating.
Description
The history of the Havlichkov Gardens began in 1870, when the area of Prague Vinohrady was called the Vineyards. Entrepreneur Moritz Grebe acquired a beautiful plot for a summer residence. Construction lasted 17 years. During this time, a house was erected, a vineyard was planted, fountains, grottos were built and an arbor was installed. Grebe lived in the corner created by him only 4 years, after which he died. His heirs used the residence for commercial purposes - they paid a visit to the luxurious park. In addition, the garden was fruitful, which accounted for most of the profits.
In the XX century, the descendants of Grebe sold the residence to the authorities, and it was called the "Havlichkov Gardens". At the same time, it did not immediately become a place for recreation . From the beginning there was a forestry school, after the house served as a children's hospital, and during World War II there was a fascist organization, which in peacetime was replaced by the House of Pioneers. The last thing that happened here was the Dance Conservatory. Multiple changes had a detrimental effect on the building, and already at the end of the last century it required major repairs. In 2002, a major reconstruction of the complex began.
Today the residence houses a training center, several concert halls and a conference hall.
What to see in Havlichkovy Gardens?
Visiting the park provides an overview of individual attractions. The path to them lies through gardens with dozens of tree species, in which there are more than twenty species of birds and a lot of red squirrels. Havlíčkov Gardens are located on several tiers, which is why there are a lot of stairs in the park. Many of them are made of stone and were built in the XIX century. At the same time it seems that they are part of some medieval castle , and tourists stop to take photos. There are many beautiful places in the park. The most popular and valuable objects are:
- Villa Moritz Grabe. This is the main attraction of the Havlichkov Gardens. The house was built in a neo-Renaissance style. The architect, working on the project, drew inspiration, looking at the rich summer Italian houses. For this reason, on the one hand, the villa turned out luxurious, and on the other - cozy. During the last restoration, the facade and interior were restored, so that guests can see Villa Greba in its original form.
- Vineyards. One of the requirements for the estate of Greba were vineyards. Perhaps, therefore, the emphasis in architecture is made precisely on the Italian style. Some sources say that the vineyard was founded by Charles IV. Here, till now, valuable varieties of grapes are grown, which are used in the distillery. Local wine can be tasted at a restaurant in Galichkovy Gardens.
- Wooden arbor. That her option, which tourists can see today, is a reconstruction. The original was destroyed several decades ago, but the drawings were preserved, and a wooden two-level gazebo with an elaborate carving is an exact replica of the one that was built in the eighties of the century before last.
How to get there?
Near the Havlicky Gardens there are several public transport stops. The closest are:
- Krymska - the monorail transport №№ 4, 13, 22, 97 and 99, the bus №135;
- Otakarova - monorail №№ 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 21, 24, 26, 93, 95 and 96.