An exceptional design competition has been announced for the renewal of Chotkovy sady, a historic park forming part of the iconic Prague Castle and the city’s skyline. With views of the Castle, the oldest parts of Prague and the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace as a centerpiece, the site offers a rare chance to reimagine a public park of exceptional heritage and beauty. Open to local and international teams, the competition seeks a sensitive and visionary concept for long-term development. Applications are open until June 9, 2025, with final proposals due by September 30, 2025.

Reimagining a Park with Civic and Cultural Meaning
The main goal of the competition is to define the future role of Chotkovy sady, a historic park that forms part of the Prague Castle grounds. The organisers are looking for a vision that brings new life to this national heritage site—both in its landscape and its meaning. The winning proposal should respond to today’s urban and social needs, while respecting the history and atmosphere of the park. Landscape architecture, design and art are expected to work together in a concept that connects past and present, city and state, nature and culture.

A Park for People, Not Just a Landmark
Chotkovy sady has always been different from the formal historical gardens behind the Castle walls. Open to the public since 1833, it was designed as a city park. That character remains essential today. The competition asks designers to keep this spirit alive and define how the park fits into Prague’s wider network of green spaces. The challenge is to make the park feel more alive, more connected, and more useful, without turning it into a tourist hotspot.

Restoring Structure and Improving Connections
A big part of the task is to restore what has been lost—especially the park’s tree canopy, spatial structure and visual composition. Most of the trees are old, and many of the key views have become overgrown or blocked. At the same time, the park has become cut off from the city. Chotkova Street, once a pleasant promenade offering stunning views became a busy road. Designers are asked to rethink how people access and move through the park, and how it can reconnect to the city’s urban landscape.

A Long-Term, Sensitive Vision
The competition is not about dramatic changes. Instead, it calls for a careful, long-term approach that protects the park’s identity while making it stronger for the future. Proposals should improve conditions for planting and public use, restore the character of paths and views, and offer a clear plan for future management. The brief also invites ideas for a subtle cultural and artistic layer—repositioning existing artworks, suggesting new ones, and creating space for small-scale cultural events. The aim is to keep the park’s quiet charm, while making it more open, welcoming and meaningful for generations to come.

Full documentation link:
https://nen.nipez.cz/en/verejne-zakazky/detail-zakazky/N006-25-S00000009