While enjoying a walk through the garden, you are bound to come across column-like oaks near the banks of the lower pond, stunning beech trees, cypresses and rhododendrons. Originally, the garden’s ponds were used for raising and breeding fish. Fish are still caught here today, for instance, in the decorative pond at Mill Race, located in Pilsen’s historic city centre. The Luft Garden also provides a very specific moist environment, meaning you’re sure to see plenty of wildlife. You can expect to find anything from frogs and grass snakes to kingfishers and herons.
Garden renovations
The garden was founded by the Burgers toward the end of the 19th century. Then several generations of the Luft family took care of the garden, until they were forced to sell the space to the government in 1959. From then on, the garden has been used for various breeding purposes. However, no one ever kept up the garden’s original, pre-war design. At the beginning of the 90s, the garden was left in disarray, having been nearly lost to history.
It wasn’t until 1996 that the Luft Garden underwent renovations. Even though the garden didn’t receive the care it needed, the city of Pilsen was successful in its reconstruction efforts and was able to preserve the space as an isolated example of the region’s pre-war garden architecture. It was first opened to the public in 2010. People tend to gather here during the summer months for various tours, smaller festivals as well as other events. Weddings are also held here. During autumn one of the gazebos serves as a cider mill, open to the public.
