Wallenstein Palace (Valdtejnský palác) is a Baroque palace located in the Malá Strana area, close to Prague Castle. It is currently the home of the Czech Senate.
Its attraction is not only the Palace (open to visitors weekend only) but also its gardens (open to visitors daily Apr - Oct).
The Wallenstein Palace's construction was commissioned in 1625, by General Albrecht Vaclav Eusebius of Wallenstein (A wealthy Czech noblemen). The palace was to be his Prague residence. It was designed by Italian architect Andrea Spezza. The ceremonial Knights hall is decorated with a fresco of the Apotheosis by Italian artist Baccio del Bianca. The palace chapel, rising up through both floors of the building, is decorated with scenes from the legend of St Wenceslas. The chapel altar, the work of cabinet-maker and woodcarver Arnost Jan Heidelberger from 1630, is the oldest Baroque monument of its kind in Prague.
The house remained in the ownership of the Wallenstein family until 1945. After the Second World War, the palace became Czechoslovak state property and was renovated to house government offices.
The delightful Italian garden of the Wallenstein Palace has a sala terrena (garden pavilion), a grotto with artificial stalactites, an aviary and an artificial lake with an island. There are a collection of bronze statues created for the garden by Dutch sculptor Adrien de Vries, though these are copies as the originals were looted by the Swedish army in 1648. Concerts are often held in the garden.
There is a Senate Information Centre in the 1st courtyard of the Wallenstein Palace.
Opening Times & Price
The Palace is open to visitors free-of-charge every weekend from 10am - 4pm and to 5pm during summer
The garden is open to visitors free-of-charge every day (Apr - Oct 10am - 6pm).
Address
Valdtejnské námestí 17/4
Letenská
Prague 1
Tel: 257 075 707
Email: epodatelna@senat.cz
How to Get There
Metro: A - Malostranska
External Links
Official Web Site of the Czech Senate.
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