Franciscan Garden, Prague: A Quiet Oasis by Wenceslas Square

The Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada) is a small public garden hidden in the very centre of Prague, between Wenceslas Square and Jungmannovo náměstí. Thousands of people walk past it every day without knowing it is there, because it is reached through passages and gateways rather than from an open street.

This natural oasis is furnished with a number of benches, over which span metal arches laden with roses in the summer. The lawns are separated by low yew hedges, and the garden is completed with several sculptures, fountains, a gazebo, a playground, fruit trees and herb beds. The herbs recall the former owners, the Carmelites and later the Franciscans, who once grew herbs and spices here.

A Little History

The garden belongs to the monastery of the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, founded by Charles IV in 1347 for the Carmelite order. The Franciscans took over the monastery at the beginning of the 17th century and gave the garden its present name. It was a closed monastic garden for centuries and was opened to the public only in the 20th century.

Entrance and How to Get There

It is a free public garden. Opening hours change with the season, so check the City of Prague’s official information before a late evening visit.

The best way to get there is to take the metro to Můstek and walk two or three minutes. You can enter from Jungmannovo náměstí, through the passage from Vodičkova Street, or through the arcade from Wenceslas Square.

Address: Františkánská zahrada, Jungmannovo náměstí, 110 00 Praha 1 – Nové Město.

Photographing the Franciscan Garden

The garden is small, so it works best for details and quiet portraits rather than big views.

• Best season: late May and June, when the rose arches over the benches are in flower. Spring blossom on the fruit trees is also lovely.
• Best light: the garden is surrounded by tall buildings, so it is in open shade for much of the day. That soft light is flattering for portraits. Around midday the sun reaches the lawns and contrast gets hard.
• Background: use the tall Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Snows rising above the hedges as a backdrop.
• Crowds: office workers fill the benches at lunchtime. Early morning is calm and almost empty.

It is also a convenient place to rest between locations if you are walking from the Old Town towards Wenceslas Square.

Planning more stops in the city? Browse more Prague guides for other places worth visiting and photographing.

Proposing in the Franciscan Garden

The Franciscan Garden is a small, hidden oasis right next to Wenceslas Square, and it can work well for an intimate proposal. It is not a place for big views, but the rose arches and benches give it a gentle, romantic feel.

• Is it a good place to propose? Yes, with caveats. It suits a quiet, simple moment in the city centre. It belongs to a monastery, so keep the moment calm and respectful.
• Best time: early morning, when the garden is almost empty. Late May and June, when the roses over the benches are in flower, are the most beautiful weeks.
• Permits and rules: a private proposal in this public garden needs no permit. Opening hours change with the season, so check the City of Prague’s information, and ask the administrator before using a tripod or props.
• Crowds: office workers fill the benches at lunchtime. Mornings are calm.
• The best spot: a bench under one of the rose arches, with the tall Church of Our Lady of the Snows rising above the hedges behind you.
• Where the photographer can wait: on a bench across the lawn or near the gazebo. The garden is small, so a longer lens helps the photographer keep a discreet distance.

Comparing places? See our guide to the best places to propose in Prague.