Straka Academy garden

The Straka Academy garden – originally a student dormitory established to educate and nurture the impoverished sons of the Czech nobility – faces primarily southeast, sheltered from the north by the Academy building and from the west by the apartment houses of Klárov.

Its formal and picturesque (sentimental) landscape layout was designed by the renowned garden architect František Josef Thomayer (1856–1938). The foundation of the layout comprised a symmetrical network of paths and expansive, flat lawns, complemented by sports facilities, a bowling alley and greenhouse. At the end of the main building stands a gymnasium that remains fully functional to this day. Its exterior stucco ornamentation playfully incorporates motifs of athletic equipment such as dumbbells. Boys of noble birth, yet without wealth, diligently practised sports, fencing, wrestling and horse riding here. They could also ride bicycles through the grounds or swim in the nearby river using a public river bathhouse. Today, employees of the Government Office and the ministries regularly exercise, play football or floorball here after work, or bring their children to meet for leisure activities.

Over time, the garden's layout was increasingly simplified in connection with the building's new state function. Moreover, a modern operational building with garages for the Office's vehicle fleet was erected along the perimeter.

The entire garden underwent a major refurbishment between 2021 and 2022 based on the design of renowned landscape architects Kamila and Přemysl Krejčiřík. The concept not only adapts to the representative needs and protocol requirements,but also to greater public access. The flowerbed area along Kosárek Embankment was also modified, acquiring a more dignified appearance and becoming the forecourt of the garden. Furthermore, the sandstone- and granite-paved arrival area in front of the main building of the Government Office was suitably completed by, quite literally, a singing fountain – two segments with nine water jets coordinated with recorded music. Technical highlights include an underground water filtration system and a new irrigation system.

In 2026, at the initiative of the Head of the Government Office, the Journey of the Republic was created, consisting of touchscreen audiovisual panels. The idea of an artistically conceived Journey of Diplomacy, which will eventually result in the creation of a sculpture gallery, was additionally elaborated. It follows on from the installation of a sculpture of a lion and a she-wolf named Carnevale by the sculptor. The work by sculptor Adam Fejfar was a gift from the Embassy of the Italian Republic on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic mission (2019).  A binding master plan was created for the installation of sculptures; however, this does not detract from the creative freedom of individual artists. Panel displays can be installed in the garden along the widened paved paths.

The garden’s décor includes an 18th-century statue of a lion, carved from sandstone, and two marble statues of notable women from history created in the 19th century. One depicts the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, and the other the prophetess Sibyl of Libya.

   The total area of the garden is 17,000 square metres. The oldest tree is a massive plane tree. An old ginkgo biloba and a yew tree grow nearby. The dioecious dogwood (Kentucky coffetree), planted in 2007, is notable for its habit, while a thornless honeylocust catches the eye with its fresh foliage colour. The linden avenue was planted in 2006. Magnolias grow in the sunken parterres near the main building – large-flowered saucer magnolias in the centre and small-flowered star magnolias at the corners of the patterns.

The sheared hedges are comprised of yew and hornbeam. Cherry laurels and St John's wort are used on the edges. The flowerbeds feature standard and ground-cover white roses, various species of hydrangeas, tree and herbaceous peonies with predominantly crimson flowers, fiery red lilies, blue-flowering irises, butterfly bushes and perennials such as Japanese anemones, lupines, asters, catmint, sage, cornflowers and coneflowers. In spring, everything is enlivened by bulbous plants: hyacinths, daffodils, grape hyacinths and others. The composition is completed by stylish terracotta flower pots with geraniums. The aim of many parts of the planting scheme is to be imaginative, diverse and t evoke the national colours, whether in the spirit of the colours of the land (red and white) or the tricolour (red, white and blue). The planting in the shaded spot at the northern main entrance to the Government Office, where lindens grow as a reminder of the national tree, is more dreamlike and comprises annuals (this year, impatiens with spider plants) edged by a low yew hedge.

The festive character of the building and garden is enhanced by the flags of the Czech Republic and the European Union flying from masts, bringing dynamic movement.

The Straka Academy garden is freely accessible every Saturday until October. On certain days, open public social events are planned – presentations of ministries and national programmes (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, etc.). The final opportunity for this year's visit is on 28 October. The entrance is on U Plovárny Street, which leads onto Kosárek Embankment by the Vltava River. Visitors can take the tour using an audio guide that can be downloaded to a mobile phone. QR codes are located at the garden entrance and at various points throughout it

The appearance of any garden is never set in stone. It gradually grows and changes character. The Straka Academy garden is an example of continuous care for the legacy of our ancestors with a vision of greater accessibility, sustainability and a look into the future of our Republic.