Explore Enchanting Gardens: Prague Castle, Invalides, and the Senate!

Make sure to experience something special in the capital. On Saturday, August 23rd, for Castle Night, you are welcome to visit the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, which is found in the Wallenstein Palace. The tours of Wallenstein Palace and the St. Wenceslas Chapel will run from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, along with an exploration of the stunningly lit Wallenstein Garden. You can take a tour through the grand historical spaces of the palace, which was constructed in the 17th century as the luxurious home of Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein. You will also get to see the special Chapel of St. Wenceslas, which is part of the Senate and is usually off-limits. For those young and old with a sense of adventure, there will be cognitive bingo provided for you to fill out during your visit. Newly introduced are also worksheets about the function of the Senate, which will be particularly valuable for high school students or teachers who can later use them in their classrooms. Don’t forget to check out the exhibition on the history of the Wallenstein Palace, located in the Main Hall. The garden features three fountains, various relief vases, and replicas of original sculptures created by the sculptor Adriaen de Vries. A pond filled with various fish and a small island with a statue of Hercules rivals perhaps the garden’s top attraction – the artificial cave (grotto) that has a stalactite wall. Admission to the Senate and the Wallenstein Garden is free.

The Gardens under Prague Castle will be illuminated by torches after sunset on August 23rd, allowing you to experience the romantic ambiance of Baroque gardens. Additionally, there will be demonstrations of instinctive archery (for combat and hunting), along with knife and axe throwing, and displays of stick fighting techniques (inspired by styles like bartitsu, Spanish palo i mano, Portuguese jogo do pau, and Irish stick), performed by the European Martial Arts Society. Interested individuals can also try their hand at archery or throwing knives or axes under the guidance of trained professionals. There will also be guided tours with expert commentary about the history of the gardens, scheduled for 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. Martial arts demonstrations will happen at 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. Entrance to the gardens will be 200 CZK.

This year, the Karlin Castle Night also includes Invalidovna. A special tour will be created for you where you will explore not only areas that are typically closed to the public but also learn about the lives of the people who used to live here. The most fascinating Baroque interiors will be shown through the eyes of a maid who will happily share stories about what life was like at Invalidovna. You will meet historical characters like the cook, the maid, the soldier, or even the architect! Join a guided tour through the Invalides’ Hall in the evening and discover the historical and film characters associated with its history. Special costumed tours will be available at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM, with tickets only available for online purchase.