Obora Hvězda (the Star Game Reserve) is a large wooded park in the west of Prague, next to Bílá hora (White Mountain). With its three majestic tree-lined avenues it once served the Renaissance aristocracy for entertainment and hunting. Today it is a place where locals go to walk the dog, relax, jog, ride a bike, ski in winter or take the children to the playground.
The area has kept its atmosphere, thanks in part to the summer palace with its unusual six-pointed star (hvězda) ground plan, from which both the park and the palace get their names.
History of the Place
The game reserve was established in 1534 by Ferdinand I on land belonging to the Břevnov Monastery, in a forest called Malejov. It was originally named Nová (New) to distinguish it from the Royal Game Reserve in Bubeneč. It covers roughly 86 hectares.
The Star Summer Palace (Letohrádek Hvězda) was built in the 1550s to a design by the king’s son, Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol. Inside, the ground floor is decorated with fine Renaissance stucco work. In 1620 the Battle of White Mountain, one of the turning points of Czech history, was fought just outside the reserve walls.
What to See
- The Star Summer Palace – walk all the way around it to appreciate the shape. It is used for exhibitions in season; check the official website for current opening times.
- The three avenues that lead through the forest to the palace.
- The Well House in the middle part of the reserve, which once supplied water to the park administrator’s house. The well is more than 32 metres deep.
Where Is the Park?
This historical park is on the west side of Prague, in Prague 6. The Petřiny metro station (line A) is a short walk from the northern gate, and trams stop at Vypich near the southern entrance. Entry to the park is free.
Photographing Obora Hvězda
- The avenues: use a telephoto lens to compress the long line of trees with the white palace at the end. A walker or cyclist in the frame gives scale.
- The palace: the star plan is hard to show from the ground. Photograph one of the points head-on, or from the corner so that two points and the steep roof are visible.
- Light: early morning is the best time, when low sun comes through the trees. On misty autumn mornings the avenues look magical.
- Seasons: autumn colour is the highlight. Fresh snow in winter and the bright green of May are also worth the trip.
- Crowds: hardly an issue here. Even on weekends you will mostly meet locals.
Planning more stops in the city? Browse more Prague guides for other places worth visiting and photographing.
