Hvězda

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The central palace's star shape was chosen by Archduke Ferdinand II to represent the Bethlehem Star.

2. 2

   The interior ceilings of the Summer Palace feature intricate, early Renaissance-style stucco work.

3. 3

   The Battle of White Mountain occurred on the fields adjacent to the wall of the Hvězda preserve.

4. 4

   The park was historically used for royal hunts, featuring deer and other game species.

5. 5

   The site remains largely enclosed by its original 16th-century boundary walls.

6. 6

   The palace is considered one of the most significant examples of Renaissance architecture in the Czech Republic.

Overview

Hvězda is a 86-hectare forested game preserve in Prague 6 centered around a distinct Renaissance summer palace built on a star-shaped ground plan. The palace was designed by Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol in 1555. The park features a radial layout of avenues meeting at the central pavilion. Historically, the grounds served as a royal hunting preserve and the site of the 1620 Battle of White Mountain. Today, the area is managed as a municipal nature preserve with mature woodland, meadows, and gravel pathways. The interior of the central pavilion houses an exhibition dedicated to the battle and the history of the site. The surrounding walls protect the original 16th-century perimeter of the hunting park. The site offers significant biodiversity, including various species of old-growth trees and protected bird habitats.

Insider tips

• Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel paths and dirt forest trails.

• Bring a picnic, as the park is a popular spot for locals to relax away from the city center.

• Visit during autumn to see the dense canopy of trees change color.