Wallenstein Palace and Garden

The expansive Wallenstein Palace was built in early baroque style between 1624 and 1630 for Albrecht von Wallenstein, an ambitious military commander.
Wallenstein had gained so much wealth and power that Emperor Ferdinand II started to see him as a threat. In 1634 Ferdinand II accused Wallenstein of treason and officers loyal to the emperor killed Wallenstein. His palace continued to be owned by the Wallenstein family until 1945 when the government confiscated it. It is now used by the Czech senate.

Wallenstein purchased 23 houses as well as several gardens and a pottery to create room for his ambitious building plans. The palace was to rival even the city's castle itself in sheer size and splendor. In all, the complex contains several wings which at a time housed more than 700 people and included a riding school and magnificent gardens. The palace's main hall is stunning, decorated with large statues. A fresco at the ceiling depicts Wallenstein as the god Mars.

The splendor of the palace continues in the garden, which is considered one of Prague's most magnificent gardens. In total about 1.7ha large (over 4 acres), the Wallenstein garden is laid out in a formal Italian style and decorated with many statues sculpted by the Dutch artist Adriaen de Vries. The current statues are replicas, since the originals were stolen by the Swedes in 1648.

At the east end of the garden is the impressive, 30 meter (almost 100 ft) high Sala Terrena. It has three large arches and is decorated with frescoes. Nearby is a wall with fake stalactites, supposedly resembling a large cave. At the other end of the garden is a large pond with a central islet featuring a marble fountain with a statues of Hercules, also sculpted by Adriaen de Vries.

The garden of the Wallenstein palace is open for visitors and free of charge.