Letenské sady Park

Welcome to one of the most important green spaces on the Prague side of the river. You are standing on an elevated plains that offers a view that you will not find in this city. Look around you and see this incredible space. In front of your eyes, an extensive green surface stretches up to the edge of the city and creates a breathtaking contrast to the dense structure you see in the distance. If you look up now and look towards the center, you will see the most beautiful views Praha has to offer. The dominant feature of your horizon is Prague Castle, which is majestically standing over the city and reminding you of its ancient glory. It is joined by the ancient heart of the metropolis, Old Town, and in the distance you can see the green slopes of Petra. Feel the airspeed and the altitude that makes you feel like the whole world is at your feet. You are in the Letenské orchards, a place where the calm of nature connects to the pulsating heart of history.

Now let's go back in time and understand how this place came to be and why you're standing here in the first place. It wasn't always the way you know him today. More than 200 years ago, there was no public space, but private land. This whole process of transformation began to unfold in 1840. That's when Governor Karel Chotek got involved. He was a man with a great vision who understood that a growing city needed space for the rest and recreation of its inhabitants. He initiated the purchase of land to make this area something that belongs to everyone. Another key name you need to know here is Jakub Wimmer. It was the owner of the land back then whose influence and ownership laid the foundations for what you see around you today. Without these men and their decisions, Letná would not be what she is today. The original private property has gradually become a public green area, which has been constantly modified and expanded to serve the people.

Now pay attention to what is surrounding you right now. Although it may seem to you that nature rules here quite naturally, in every detail of this park there is a sense of human hand and careful planning. Notice the trees that accompany you. From 1858 to 1864 there was intensive construction of the park, during which thousands of trees were planted to create this dense and pleasant shade. The architect František Josef Thomayer was behind this whole landscape. His work was not only about building, but about creating the overall nature of the space that now surrounds you. Feel the harmony between terrain and greenery. Even when you're on a wide road, you feel the closeness of nature that was carefully planned to consume you. Take a look at the surrounding vegetation and see the atmosphere of this place, which was created for peaceful walking and active movement.

But the history of this place is much more colorful and sometimes even more stormy than it might seem. Let's see how the identity of this park changed. Something important happened in 1871. In honor of the visit to the Austrian heir to the throne, the park was named the Crown Prince Rudolf's Sets. This suggests a political and social structure at the time, when the names of the rulers were an inherent part of the public space. Another important moment was 1891. There was a Jubilee exhibition, which brought new elements and excellent buildings to the park, such as Hanava Pavilion. This object became a symbol of the progress and technical art at the time.

But Letná is not just about beauty and celebration. It is a place that has experienced very difficult and politically burdened chapters. In 1955, there was a huge monument to Stalin. It was a symbol of a time that tried to take over not only people's minds, but the very form of the landscape. This monument, however, was not here for ever. In 1962, it was removed, bringing space back to the people. And when we talk about the human voice and the power of the crowd, we have to remember 1989. It was here, on this vast plains, that events took place that changed the fate of the whole country. The Fleet Plain has become the center of the Velvet Revolution. Imagine the enormous energy, the mass demonstrations that were going on here and that had the power to change the world. This is where new freedom was born.

Before you go on your next trip, let me share with you one interesting thing that will help you better understand the scope of this place. You may think that a park is just a park, but its creation was a real effort to create a new world. Imagine the huge work that people had to do in the middle of the nineteenth century when they decided to plant thousands of trees in such a challenging terrain. Every tree you see today is the legacy of the old gardeners and visionaries who believed that green space in the heart of the city was necessary for the soul of every man. This huge platform, over 25 hectares, has been created as an oasis to last for centuries.

I won't keep you now. Letenské sady is a vast space that offers endless possibilities for your rest. You can just walk between trees, watch cyclists who practice their performances here, or just sit back and enjoy the views of Prague. Every step of this country is accompanied by the rotation of the centuries and the stories of the people before you. I wish you a nice walk and hope you enjoy this quiet corner of the metropolis to the fullest. I will say goodbye to you and wish you a pleasant continuation in discovering the beauty of Prague.