From vineyards to a royal retreat
Ferdinand I founded the Royal Garden in 1534 on former vineyard land. Its early design drew on Italian models, giving the court a setting for recreation beyond the main palace buildings. The landscape did not remain fixed: nineteenth-century English-inspired alterations also shaped the garden seen today.
Architecture for leisure
Queen Anne’s Summer Palace and the Ball Game Hall show another side of court life, away from coronations and official audiences. Look at how the buildings address the open space around them, rather than treating them simply as isolated monuments.
Listen to the Singing Fountain
Tomáš Jaroš made the bronze Singing Fountain in 1564–68. Its name refers to the resonant sound produced by falling water. The best encounter is a quiet one: pause close enough to listen, as well as looking at the basin and sculptural work.
Plan a garden visit separately
The Royal Garden is on the northern side of the Castle, not the southern terrace route above Malá Strana. Garden access is seasonal and can differ from courtyard opening hours. Check the Castle’s current arrangements before building it into an itinerary.