Your browser is out of date.
This site may not function properly in your current browser. Update Now
© Tomas Vrtal

The Flower Garden

The Flower Garden, also known as the Pleasure Garden or Lustgarten, represents a transition between late Renaissance Italian gardens and classical Baroque gardens of the French type, such as the one in Versailles, and may be the only example of this transition in Europe.

The Flower Garden was built in the second half of the 17th century by the founder of the Castle and the Castle Garden, the Bishop of Olomouc, Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorno (episcopate 1664-1695). The Bishop had a very clear vision of a shape of the Garden. He found an inspiration during many of his journeys across the Europe. Therefore, the Garden is formed on the basis of gardens in France, Italy, Germany and also the Dutch garden architecture of the 17th century.

The Garden was founded by the Bishop of Olomouc Karl von Lichtenstein-Castelcorno in the second half of the 17th century. - © Tomáš Vrtal
The Garden was founded by the Bishop of Olomouc Karl von Lichtenstein-Castelcorno in the second half of the 17th century. - © Tomáš Vrtal

The founding of the Garden had several phases. The first phase of the construction, representing the main part of the garden, took place between 1665 and 1675. The second phase was implemented in the 1680’s. The initial works were directed by an Italian architect Filiberto Luchese (1607–1666) and after his death, by his younger colleague and collaborator Giovanni Pietro Tencalla (1629–1702).

In the very heart of the Flower Garden an octagonal pavilion occupying the central position, the Rotunda. It is divided into one central hall with four grottos and four lounges. - © Archive of the Archiepiscopal Castle Kroměříž
In the very heart of the Flower Garden an octagonal pavilion occupying the central position, the Rotunda. It is divided into one central hall with four grottos and four lounges. - © Archive of the Archiepiscopal Castle Kroměříž

The central part of the Flower Garden consists of two parts – a floral garden and an orchard. The main axis of the garden is accented by numerous architectural and art features, including ornamental borders, Lion and Triton fountains, Rotunda, labyrinths, fishponds, skittle alley, and so-called Strawberry Hills. This formal structure is organically complemented by adjacent ornamental and production areas, including the Orange Garden, the Dutch Garden, greenhouses, a farmyard, the Pheasantry, the Rabbit Hill and the Aviary.

The Lion Fountain refers to Old Testament motifs and also the mythical hero Hercules. What is interesting is the fact that the Lion Fountain wasn't always a part of the Flower Garden. In the early 1740s it was transfered into the Castle Garden and it returned back to the Flower Garden only after the World War II. - © Milan Mikšík
The Lion Fountain refers to Old Testament motifs and also the mythical hero Hercules. What is interesting is the fact that the Lion Fountain wasn't always a part of the Flower Garden. In the early 1740s it was transfered into the Castle Garden and it returned back to the Flower Garden only after the World War II. - © Milan Mikšík

In its original 17th century form, the Flower Garden represents a breakthrough phase of European garden art. On one hand it still draws from the tradition of late Renaissance gardens in Italy and Germany, while on the other hand it strives to encompass new spatial concepts of the budding French Baroque and Classicism. Taking the best from this double inspiration the Flower Garden is exceptional in Europe and also globally.

The Flower Garden is nowadays in its original 17th century form. - © Archive of the Archiepiscopal Castle Kroměříž
The Flower Garden is nowadays in its original 17th century form. - © Archive of the Archiepiscopal Castle Kroměříž

Visit

The Flower Garden

Hours

Check here the current opening hours.

Pricing

The price for each route please found here.

You can also buy a ticket online here.