The original bronze statues, including those by Adriaen de Vries, were looted by the Swedish army during the final stages of the Thirty Years' War in 1648.
The garden's layout is centered around the massive, three-arched Sala Terrena, which was modeled after Italian Renaissance loggias.
The wall of the artificial grotto contains intentionally grotesque 'monstrous' faces and animal shapes hidden within the stalactite texture.
Albrecht von Wallenstein had 26 houses demolished to clear the land for this garden and the adjoining palace.
The white peacocks found in the garden are descendants of birds introduced to the estate during the 17th century.
The garden was intentionally designed to showcase the owner's status as the Duke of Friedland and Generalissimo of the Imperial Army.
The Waldstein Garden is a formal early Baroque garden located within the complex of the Wallenstein Palace, which currently serves as the seat of the Senate of the Czech Republic. The site features a Sala Terrena with three monumental arches, designed for outdoor cultural performances. Visitors encounter a series of bronze statues and fountain groups throughout the grounds, which are replicas of original sculptures plundered by Swedish troops in 1648. A distinct feature is the artificial grotto containing stalactite walls and hidden animal motifs. The garden layout adheres to strict geometric principles, including meticulously manicured hedges and gravel paths. A large carp pond serves as a central visual element, often populated by waterfowl. Peacock aviaries and roaming white peacocks are maintained on the property. The architecture reflects the ambitions of Albrecht von Wallenstein, a 17th-century military commander who sought to create a residence rivaling Prague Castle.
The central fountain area with the Sala Terrena in the background, framing the classic Baroque architectural symmetry.
Walk toward the artificial grotto wall to inspect the hidden, distorted faces carved into the stone.
Keep a respectful distance from the peacocks, as they are free-roaming and territorial.
Check the Sala Terrena for scheduled public concerts or theater performances during the warmer months.
Do not attempt to enter the Senate office buildings, as these are restricted, and avoid loud group gatherings that disrupt the quiet atmosphere.
The garden is typically closed to the public during the winter season (November through March).
Maintain a quiet volume, stay on designated gravel paths, and do not feed the wildlife.
