Průhonice – Park Landscape, Castle Grounds and Historical Discoveries

Průhonice combines designed landscapes, medieval history and botanical diversity within a compact area. Průhonice Park was created in the Botič Valley with a combination of native and introduced exotic tree species. It also includes the historic castle grounds, the Romanesque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Průhonice Dendrological Garden. Depending on your interests, you can therefore combine cultural and historical discoveries with experiences in nature here.

Park Landscape and Special Viewpoints

The park derives its distinctive character from the combination of the valley, wooded areas, meadows and water. The Kaskáda sedmi Holských rybníků forms a chain of seven ponds created at the beginning of the 18th century. Another prominent feature is the Gloriet lookout tower. It stands on a rocky outcrop formed by a meander of the Botič. The tower was reconstructed in 2010, restoring its function as a viewing point.

A specific way to orient yourself within this landscape is provided by the Hlavní vyhlídka. It runs from centuries-old oaks with rhododendron undergrowth across meadow areas in the Botič Valley and past both main ponds to the viewing terrace in the castle courtyard. In this way, it brings together different elements of the grounds in a continuous sequence: old trees, open meadows, bodies of water and a view of the castle courtyard.

Castle Grounds and Romanesque Church

Today’s Průhonický zámek was created through repeated alterations to an originally medieval Gothic castle complex. For planning your visit, it is important to note that Průhonický zámek is not open to the public, except for the exhibitions and visitor centre. The castle therefore cannot be planned without restriction as an interior visit.

The Romanesque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the Průhonice castle grounds is the oldest monument there. The church was consecrated in 1187. Gothic linear frescoes from the first half of the 14th century were discovered on its walls in 1890. This layering of periods makes the church a destination in its own right for anyone interested in early architectural history and surviving traces of medieval design.

The exhibition “Průhonický zámek a park, dílo přírody a lidského ducha” is located in the ground-floor rooms of the castle. It presents the history of the castle and park and also includes a memorial room dedicated to Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca. It thus complements the appreciation of the landscape with the historical development of the grounds.

Botanical Diversity in the Průhonická Dendrological Garden

The Průhonice Dendrological Garden covers 72.8 hectares and includes almost 10,000 plant taxa. It was opened to the public in 1991. Seasonal thematic plant exhibitions are also held there. This distinction may play a role when choosing your accommodation in Průhonice and planning your trip: the park combines landscape and history, while the dendrological garden focuses on plant diversity and changing botanical themes.

Choosing Průhonice as a Travel Destination

When researching accommodation in Průhonice, you can first determine the main focus you want for your stay. The castle grounds and church appeal to those interested in cultural history, the park offers paths through a designed landscape, and the Průhonice Dendrological Garden offers botanical discoveries. Travellers with varied interests can compare these areas without having to limit themselves to just one type of experience.

For your further search, you can also look at Lichoceves, Hvozdnice, Chrášťany, Cernosice, Ptice, Stechovice and Libeř.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Praha-Západ.

More About the Destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Pruhonice Castle.