Czech Garden Party

It's good to see that even a King cares about a green environment.

So maybe they never imagined the idea of global warming or sustainability a few centuries ago, but the Prague Castle has featured several gorgeous gardens for many generations now. Located in the hills just below the castle itself, this land was originally built out for defensive purposes, but the ground slowly turned into vineyards in the early 16th century and then into gardens during the 18th. These gorgeous gardens, which offer a spectacular view of the town below, feature beautiful fountains, fascinating architecture and interesting greenery. The most popular location is the Royal Garden with its "singing fountain" and Italian Renaissance-style gazebo, but the site also includes several others like the Garden on the Bastion and the Garden of Paradise.

The castle gardens have a long and rich history. Centuries ago, the King sent his botanist to Turkey to purchase tulips, which previously had not been grown in the Prague. The beautiful tulip bulbs became so popular that they spread throughout Europe, most notably to Amsterdam. Not a bad legacy if I say so myself.

As befits the seasonal weather, the gardens are open daily from April to October, and they are free of charge for anyone to visit. If you go, just make sure to bring a camera. For more garden images, click here.