Vojanovy sady

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The garden is home to a resident population of Indian Peafowl, often seen perched in the trees or roaming the lawns.

2. 2

   The St. Elias Chapel features a Grotto, a typical architectural element of the Baroque period designed to mimic a natural cave using artificial stalactites.

3. 3

   The walls surrounding the garden contain remnants of the original monastery fortifications, separating it from the busy U Lužického semináře street.

4. 4

   During the communist era, the garden remained largely forgotten and inaccessible, which contributed to its quiet, preserved state today.

5. 5

   The garden contains a fruit orchard that connects back to the site's medieval history as a monastic source of food.

Overview

Vojanovy sady is the oldest preserved garden in Prague, dating back to the 13th century when it served as the orchard for the monastery of the Barefoot Carmelites. The park is enclosed by high walls that isolate the interior from the surrounding bustling Malá Strana district. It features a mix of Baroque-style garden elements, fruit trees, and pond features. The space is permanently inhabited by a resident population of free-roaming peacocks. The garden houses three historic chapels, including the Chapel of St. Elias, which contains a man-made dripstone grotto. It is a public space managed by the city, offering a sharp contrast to the nearby tourist-heavy Charles Bridge area.

Insider tips

• Look for the peacocks in the lower branches of the trees if they are not visible on the ground.

• Use the quiet benches away from the main path for the best experience of the park's seclusion.

• Bring a book, as this is one of the few places in central Prague where locals go specifically for silence.