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.
