Dendrological Gardens, Pruhonice
As we live in the middle of a busy city our family need outdoor time to commune with nature. Pruhonice Park has long been a favourite and it’s certainly a great spot to impress visitors with it’s romantic castle towering above the grand lake, but over the years the park seems to be getting a little crowded and parking is often difficult especially during the peak spring and summertime seasons.
A nearby alternative to Pruhonice Park is the impressive and picturesque Dendrological Garden. Over 73 hectares of landscaped grounds are perfect for walks and picnics. The garden features wooded areas, meadows and a large lake which empties into a cascading stream. The stream bubbles into a romantic ravine full of rhododendrons, ferns and azaleas.
It was here that we chose to set up our picnic blanket and unpack our lunch, happy to laze in clean, green grass (dogs are forbidden) and sheltered from the hot sun by an array of exotic, mature trees.
There are many spots in which to stop along the way and settle in the sun, by the lake or under a shady tree. Often you will find a well positioned picnic table just waiting for you to sit and unwind. An added bonus for our family of art lovers were the interesting sculptures placed around the garden, this is where you can even find a replica of Stonehenge perched on a high hill.
For kids much is on offer, there are interesting bridges to cross, mysterious paths to explore and curious sculptures to examine. There are ducks to feed and much to the delight of our daughter we even came across a mother duck with 7 baby ducks in tow. One of the best features of the park is an impressive playground just behind the main entrance which is definitely worth a visit with the kids. A handy addition during summer is a temporary kiosk set up at the main gate where you can purchase ice creams, drinks and snacks. The park is generally flat with a few gradual hills further in, pathways are well maintained and very easy to navigate with a stroller.
One negative aspect of the park is it’s close proximity to the freeway, the noise is noticeable but not overwhelming and as you explore deeper into the park it seems to disappear altogether. Overall though, this has to be one of our favourite finds, it’s a real respite from urban life and is highly recommended.
OPEN: April to October (Tuesday to Sunday 9am till 6pm)
PRICE: Entrance is 40 CZK for an adult, family passes are 100 CZK although kids under 6 are free. Parking is also free but limited.
DIRECTIONS: Take the D1 Freeway in the direction of Brno, turn off at Exit 6 (Pruhonice). Make a right hand turn at the roundabout which will take you underneath the D1, go directly through the next roundabout and then turn into a small unmarked road to your left (just behind a gas station). The garden is just on the left side as you enter this small road. NB: The gardens are directly opposite Aqua Palace Praha.
FURTHER INFORMATION: see http://www.dendrologickazahrada.cz
Rebecca Davies on 21 February 2009 @ 12:02 AM
You are allowed to take bikes and scooters to the gardens, so it’s great for those learning to cycle!