Obora Hvězda, Prague: Star Summer Palace and Game Reserve

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.

Proposing in Obora Hvězda

Obora Hvězda is a lovely choice for a calm, private proposal. The long tree-lined avenues leading to the white Star Summer Palace look like a set from a period film, and you are unlikely to have an audience.

• Is it a good place to propose? Yes. It suits couples who prefer nature and quiet to the famous postcard views, and there is plenty of space to walk and talk before the moment.
• Best time: early morning, when low sun comes through the trees along the avenues. Misty autumn mornings and the fresh green of May are especially beautiful.
• Permits and rules: the park is free and public, so a private proposal needs no permit. The palace itself is used for exhibitions in season, so check the administrator’s current rules before planning anything inside or close to the entrance with props.
• Crowds: hardly an issue. Even at weekends you will mostly meet dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.
• The best spot: on one of the avenues with the palace at the far end, or beside one of the star’s points where the steep roof is visible.
• Where the photographer can wait: further down the avenue with a telephoto lens, looking like any other walker, which also compresses the trees and the palace behind you.

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