Royal Garden

The Royal Garden, one of the many ornamental gardens of Prague Castle, is a sight to behold. It is the oldest and largest of the gardens, and it played a significant role in the transformation of Prague Castle from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance residence in the 16th century. The garden was created on the site of former vineyards purchased from the townspeople of Malá Strana by Ferdinand I of Habsburg. It quickly gained fame for its botanical and exotic rarities, including the tulip, first cultivated here in Europe. 

In addition to its flora, the garden is a showcase for architecture and sculpture. The famous Summer Palace of Queen Anne is often regarded as one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. The design of the Summer Palace, with its arcaded walkway surrounding the entire structure, was considered innovative even in Italy at that time, where Tycho de Brahe and Johannes Kepler later observed stars.