Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
24 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
25 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
26 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
27 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Czechia Olomouc The Zwinger Gardens

The Zwinger Gardens

Once home to artillery, this garden offers more peace today than it did during its war-torn past.

Olomouc, Czechia

Added By
Tomáš Kreuzinger
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Zwinger Gardens   Palickap
The Zwinger Gardens   Palickap
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   Palickap
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
The Zwinger Gardens   thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Zwinger Gardens were formed as a result of Olomouc's tumultuous past, in which religion, wars, and money all intertwined to create the foundation for this now beautiful location. The garden is often overlooked by tourists and even many locals. 

Across the garden, visitors will find various religious figures. The location also provides residents of Olomouc a place to reflect and feel secure, despite its association with a major war.

During the mid-18th-century, the Seven Years' War was tearing Central Europe apart. At one point, Olomouc found itself surrounded by the Prussian army during the conflict. The garden area was once home to artillery batteries once used to defend the city from approaching German forces during the conflict.

Throughout the 20th-century, little attention was paid to preserving the baroque architectural elements that remained. At the turn of the century, discussions began about revitalizing the garden. In 2011, the decision was finalized. Artists and architects were brought in to recreate the environment from the past, despite having no visual sources regarding the garden's former layout. 

Not too dissimilar from the Franciscan gardens in Prague, the area is the perfect place to relax and reflect. 

Related Tags

Gardens War History Architecture Sculptures Plants Military

Know Before You Go

The area is open from April 1st to October 31st from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. The garden is hidden but can be reached via a narrow entrance passing directly through the university buildings on Křížkovského street. Be sure to check out the restrictions, as no dogs are allowed inside the gardens.

Community Contributors

Added By

thomasvanderkruis

Published

October 2, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://parkanovezahrady.upol.cz/en/history/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Olomouc
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwinger
  • http://www.obrazkovysvet.cz/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=600655&id=1601
The Zwinger Gardens
12 Křížkovského
Olomouc, 779 00
Czechia
49.594312, 17.260284
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'The Thief'

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Bunker of Civil Defence (Kryt Civilní Ochrany)

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Mausoleum of Yugoslav Soldiers

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Olomouc

Olomouc

Czechia

Places 8

Nearby Places

'The Thief'

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Bunker of Civil Defence (Kryt Civilní Ochrany)

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Mausoleum of Yugoslav Soldiers

Olomouc, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Olomouc

Olomouc

Czechia

Places 8

Related Places

  • The Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars in Berlin.

    Berlin, Germany

    Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars

    A towering monument to war, located on a beautifully peaceful hill.

  • Mahatma Gandhi (Fredda Brilliant, 1968).

    London, England

    Peace Garden at Tavistock Square

    A quiet, semi-secret square with statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Virginia Woolf, and a conscientious objectors stone.

  • “Interrupted Flight” monument at Šumarice Memorial Park

    Kragujevac, Serbia

    Šumarice Memorial Park

    Abstract monuments express sorrow and resilience at the site of a horrific massacre in Nazi-occupied Serbia.

  • The Frederick Law Olmsted designed Emerald Necklace at The Fenway Victory Gardens.

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Fenway Victory Gardens

    One of the last remaining World War II Victory Gardens in the U.S. is quietly growing across from Fenway Park.

  • Aston Hall

    Birmingham, England

    Aston Hall

    This ornate English estates "Prodigy House" still bears the cannonball marks of civil war.

  • Chandigarh, India

    Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden

    A palatial sculpture park was built illegally and in secret by a self-taught artist over 36 years.

  • Las Pozas

    Xilitla, Mexico

    Las Pozas

    Extraordinary sculpture garden created by an eccentric English poet.

  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    'The Constellation'

    This massive piece of artwork weighs more than 250 tons, and was designed as a tribute to the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.