Reconstruction of the Garden at the Bastion
The Garden at the Bastion in the Grounds of Prague Castle has regained its original appearance after ninety years
The return of lilacs and thuja, as well as the restored pergola. The Garden at the Bastion, adjacent to the fourth courtyard of Prague Castle, has regained its original appearance according to the design of Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik after more than ninety years. Benches designed by Plečnik specifically for Prague Castle have also returned to the site.
The reconstruction was preceded by a study of archival materials and historical photographic documentation. According to these, the architects discovered not only the appearance from 1932 but also most of the species of trees that were planted at the Bastion over ninety years ago. “The garden's appearance combined Plečnik's simple geometric concept with modifications characteristic of garden art in the 1930s. The columnar thuja returned to the regular grid, and lilac trees were replanted on the sides of the parterre, which were identified based on historical photographs,” describes landscape architect Jana Kohlová the changes.
“Although we adhered to the original design, we tried to adapt it to modern times to ensure that the greenery would thrive. Therefore, there are now so-called root paths filled with substrate leading under the gravel surface among the thuja, which will ensure that the trees have sufficient soil air,” explains Helena Pánková, director of the Parks and Gardens Department of the Prague Castle Administration.
But not only the greenery received care. Plečnik's benches have also returned, and the builders restored the path made of Slivenec marble, which connected the surrounding paved areas with the space covered by the Renaissance bastion and pergola.
Plečnik designed the garden in Italian and Japanese styles. The place is also very significant because it is his last work in the Czech Republic. “Unfortunately, some modifications, especially from the 1950s, were very unfortunate; our priority during the reconstruction was to stay true to the original design. If we compared photographs from the early 1930s with those today, we should not see a difference at first glance. The only thing Plečnik did not design is the restaurant in the back part of the garden,” explains Prague Castle heritage keeper and architectural historian Zdeněk Lukeš.
The project also included the installation of an irrigation system and a new route for electrical wiring.
The return of lilacs and thuja, as well as the restored pergola. The Garden at the Bastion, adjacent to the fourth courtyard of Prague Castle, has regained its original appearance according to the design of Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik after more than ninety years. Benches designed by Plečnik specifically for Prague Castle have also returned to the site.
The reconstruction was preceded by a study of archival materials and historical photographic documentation. According to these, the architects discovered not only the appearance from 1932 but also most of the species of trees that were planted at the Bastion over ninety years ago. “The garden's appearance combined Plečnik's simple geometric concept with modifications characteristic of garden art in the 1930s. The columnar thuja returned to the regular grid, and lilac trees were replanted on the sides of the parterre, which were identified based on historical photographs,” describes landscape architect Jana Kohlová the changes.
“Although we adhered to the original design, we tried to adapt it to modern times to ensure that the greenery would thrive. Therefore, there are now so-called root paths filled with substrate leading under the gravel surface among the thuja, which will ensure that the trees have sufficient soil air,” explains Helena Pánková, director of the Parks and Gardens Department of the Prague Castle Administration.
But not only the greenery received care. Plečnik's benches have also returned, and the builders restored the path made of Slivenec marble, which connected the surrounding paved areas with the space covered by the Renaissance bastion and pergola.
Plečnik designed the garden in Italian and Japanese styles. The place is also very significant because it is his last work in the Czech Republic. “Unfortunately, some modifications, especially from the 1950s, were very unfortunate; our priority during the reconstruction was to stay true to the original design. If we compared photographs from the early 1930s with those today, we should not see a difference at first glance. The only thing Plečnik did not design is the restaurant in the back part of the garden,” explains Prague Castle heritage keeper and architectural historian Zdeněk Lukeš.
The project also included the installation of an irrigation system and a new route for electrical wiring.
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
