The park features a unique collection of 1,600 woody species, one of the most significant in Europe.
Count Silva-Tarouca utilized the natural valley of the Botič stream to create dramatic elevation changes without artificial earthworks.
The park served as the filming location for several classic Czech fairy-tale movies due to its cinematic layout.
The site acts as a living laboratory for the Institute of Botany, which manages the scientific collection of plants.
The rhododendron collection is one of the largest and most varied in the world, specifically bred for the local climate.
Průhonice Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 250 hectares, centered around a Neo-Renaissance chateau. The landscape was commissioned in 1885 by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, who pioneered the use of native and exotic flora to create a naturalistic woodland park. The Botič stream flows through the grounds, feeding several ponds that define the park's topography. The facility currently houses the Botanical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The collection features an extensive rhododendron display with over 8,000 specimens representing 100 species. The castle's architecture blends medieval foundations with a late 19th-century facade restoration. It serves as a major center for dendrological research in Central Europe. The park includes a dedicated alpine garden and extensive arboretum paths.
The small stone bridge crossing the pond directly in front of the chateau.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes as the terrain spans several kilometers of gravel and natural paths.
Visit during the late spring months to see the peak bloom of the rhododendrons.
Carry a physical map or download the park's digital route guide, as the internal trail network is extensive.
Do not attempt to see the entire park in under two hours; it is far larger than it appears on a map.
The park is open daily throughout the year, though specific botanical exhibits may be seasonal.
Stay on marked trails to protect the delicate research-grade botanical collections; dogs must be kept on a leash.
