03/2022 - Sahar Saini
The southern part is smaller than the northern section but still offers many treasures. The Ornamental Garden boasts the largest flower beds in the city. This garden also is home to medicinal herbs. Don’t miss the Azaleas in the Japanese Garden. The southern area also includes an exhibition room of temporary shows, a wine press dated back to the 19th century, a wine shop and Mediterranean vegetation. Bring your camera. Views of nearby Troja Chateau and the cityscape are spectacular.
Also located in the southern section, St. Claire’s Vineyard harkens back to the 13th century with wines still produced from its grapes. In the wine shop, you'll find descriptions of the various wines made there and the process of wine production. The 18th-century vineyard house is the only place where it is possible to buy the wines produced from this vineyard. So if you’re a fan of wine , this should be on your list! The Baroque Chapel of Saint Claire is situated here, too. You can schedule a guided tour of the wine production or a wine-tasting adventure. Be sure to plan in advance.
A Mediterranean garden, forest biotopes of Asia and North America, a North American prairie, cacti, succulents, wetlands, a lake, a peony meadow, evergreen woody plants and shade-loving perennials make up the expositions in the vast northern section. Some of the plants in the Mediterranean Garden are unique and you won’t find them in any other botanical garden. The view of Prague from this area is spectacular too. The exposition of forest biotopes is home to many woody plants and trees. There is a semi-desert exposition from North America with various cacti. More cacti can be seen in the world of cacti and succulents section—these hail from Mexico, South Africa and Peru. Carnivorous plants dominate the Wetland and Lake Exposition.
The Fata Morgana greenhouse, created in 2004, is home to a tropical forest! There are succulents from Madagascar, Mexico, Africa and Australia. You’ll also find a lowland rainforest section with species from South America, Middle America, Australia and Pacific, Africa and Madagascar, the Philippines and Vietnam. The most awesome section includes species from Asia, America, Venezuela and Africa. The largest part of the greenhouse consists of lowland rainforests from the tropical regions of America. The highlights of this part are deciduous trees, coniferous trees and palms. It feels like you’re in the mountains and then at the beach all at once. One feature of the greenhouse is the Dutchman’s Pipe, which is one of the most endangered species in the world. The giant fern has the distinction of being one of the oldest plants in the world, with leaves as long as seven meters. The Jade Vine can only be found in the wild on three islands in the Philippines. In the pond, there are fire eels, iridescent sharks and archerfish.
The botanical gardens are near Troja Chateau, one of the most beautiful places in Prague as well as the zoo, one of the most renowned in the world. All three sights are worth visiting. Even if you are not an expert on flowers and trees, you will find the botanical gardens to be a tranquil and breathtaking place.