Showcase April: amazing natural places in Prague, Czech Republic

Hey guys,

this is my contribution to the Showcase April Initiative the purpose of which is to share the best posts you have ever created on Steem.

This one is dedicated to the natural beauty of Prague, Czech Republic.

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Home to approximately 1.3 million people, Prague is by far the largest city of the country and it is well-known for its remarkably rich history and abundance of renowned tourist attractions and breathtaking architecture dating back to long centuries ago. This bustling metropolis is one of the most visited cities in Europe so it comes as no surprise that some parts of it are literally bursting at the seams with tourists.

Yet, the Czech capital also boasts numerous beautiful natural places where you can get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some nice peace and quiet. And this is what my today´s post will be about :)

I spent a couple of years in the city, during which I often escaped from the noisy streets to less chaotic and greener places and in this post, I would like to share these little hidden gems of Prague with you. I will show you 15 natural places that can be found right in the city and all of them will be illustrated with photos that I took at those particular spots but some of the shots were taken years ago, with old crappy cameras so please excuse the poor quality of some of the images.

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Divoká Šárka

Situated in the north-western part of Prague, Divoká Šárka is a beautiful nature reserve and one of my very favorite places in the city. Occupying a total area of over 25 ha, the reserve is famous for impressive rock formations, dense forests and picturesque valleys that are home to diverse fauna and flora.

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Třešňovka

Třešňovka would translate as "the cherry hill" and the reason is obvious - this hill is covered with over a thousand of cherry trees, making it a very romantic place - especially in spring when the trees are in blossom. Třešňovka is located in the Prague neighborhood of Hrdlořezy and I used to visit this place very often when I was living in nearby Libeň.

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Průhonice Park

With a total area of some 220 ha, the Průhonice Park is one of the largest chateau parks in the country. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, the park is mainly famous for two things - the Průhonice Chateau and the extensive botanical collection that includes over 1,600 species of trees and shrubs, most notably rhododendrons.

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Hostivař Dam

Situated in the south-eastern part of Prague, the Hostivař Dam is the largest body of water in the city (at 42 ha). The dam is a popular spot for wild swimming in summer but it is worth a visit in any season of the year as it is surrounded by lush forests interwoven with a network of great hiking and cycling trails.

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Dívčí Hrady

Dívčí Hrady is a little hilly area located on the border between the Prague neighborhoods of Smíchov and Radlice. Since the place is quite elevated, it offers some nice panoramic views of the city but this shot depicts the other side - picturesque fields with bundles of straw and the waterworks tower in the background.

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Stromovka

With over 100 ha, Stromovka is one of the largest parks in Prague. It is situated in the Bubeneč neighborhood, not too far from the city center, which is also why it is sometimes referred to as "the Prague Central Park". Definitely one of the greenest places in the city with a very relaxed atmosphere.

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Prokop Valley

The Prokop Valley is a breathtaking piece of wilderness found in south-western Prague. The place has a status of nature reserve and it is famous as an important archaeological and palaeontological site. The landscape of the Prokop Valley is very diverse but unfortunately, I only have this photo of a little lake that I captured there a couple of years ago.

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St. Wenceslas Vineyard

Yes, even Prague has its vineyards. This one is called the St. Wenceslas Vineyard and it can be found right within the complex of the Prague Castle in the very historic center of the city. As you can see in the photo, this place also comes with some amazing views of the city.

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Džbán Water Reservoir

With a total area of 18 ha, the Džbán Water Reservoir is the second largest body of water in Prague (after the Hostivař Dam). Built between 1966 and 1971, the reservoir is located right next to the Divoká Šárka Nature Reserve, which means it is also surrounded by some stunning natural landscapes.

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Podviní Park

The Podviní Park is one of the smallest and youngest parks in Prague but it is practically unknown to tourists so it is rarely crowded. Found on the border between the Prague neighborhoods of Libeň and Vysočany, the park is a nice getaway from the nearby Sokolovská Street that is very busy during the day.

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Modřany Gully

Situated in the Prague neighborhood of Modřany on the east bank of the Vltava River in the southern part of the city, the Modřany Gully is another beautiful nature reserve. Covering approximately 125 ha, it serves as a popular recreational area as it offers a number of nice and well-maintained hiking and cycling trails.

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Letná Park

Perched on a hill right above the Vltava River in the center of Prague, the Letná Park is a large park that is known for many great view points. Adjacent to the park, there is the Letná Plain, an extensive plateau where many important events, demonstrations but also concerts, shows and performances have taken place.

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Hořejší Rybník

Hořejší Rybník would translate as "the upper pond". Found in the Praue neighborhood of Hloubětín, the pond was probably built as early as in the 16th century. I used to jog around this pond very often, it is a very quiet and peaceful place where you will meet few people. In summer, local residents even swim in it.

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Rokytka

Rokytka is a little river that runs through a significant part of the city but there is one particular place that I really love spending my time at. It is called the Rokytka Fitness Trail and the photo above depicts its main station. As you can see, the workout spot is hidden among forests, far away from the busy streets. The Rokytka River flows through the trees, giving the place even more relaxed and natural feel.

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Obora Hvězda

Once a royal game reserve, Obora Hvězda is a large forest park and protected natural landmark located in western Prague. The place is popular with hikers, cyclists and cross-country skiers (in winter). I took this photo of Obora Hvězda from a lookout spot at Divoká Šárka, a nearby nature reserve.

I hope you enjoyed this special photo collection dedicated to natural getaways of Prague.