Klamovka
Image by czechian
This very pleasant medium-sized public garden was designed originally in the Rococo style and is situated on the slope between Podbělohorská and Plzeňská streets. The garden is named after the Clam-Gallas family who purchased it in the middle of the 18th century.
As with many other suitable Prague locations, this place was originally planted with vineyards that were owned by the Carthusian monastery.
It’s a thoroughly romantic park, and it is through the endeavours of the members of Clam-Gallas’ family who have imbued it with an uncanny feel that it positively invites would be passers-by to tread its paths. The playground appeals to parents and kids, the latter can even visit a local nursery school located close by. Regarding its modern history, Klamovka established its reputation in the 70s and 80s, mainly thanks to the restaurant located in the château or, to be more precise, in the Sokol Club. This place was a favoured haunt of dissidents and their supporters; it was undoubtedly full of intriguing drama especially as it was often frequented by the police including members of the State Police. All this and more gave rise to the legend called Klamovka.
These days, the park charms its visitors by treasures that were preserved after the Clam- Gallas family. The neo-Gothic arbour is often a host to various art exhibitions. One feature which stands out as worthy of attention is the Rococo Temple of the Night that has a cupola beautifully decorated with colourful glass. Additionally, the place boasts the late Baroque garden arbour with a glass-house that is currently used as an art studio. Two sculptures adorn the park – one is called Family and the second one depicts Kassilo, a favourite horse of General Edward Clam-Gallas.
The chateau itself still belongs to the Sokol organisation. The restaurant can be found still at its original place in the garden, where people used to go dancing. Since 1995, the Club Klamovkathat belongs to the Children and Youth Centre has had its headquarters in the mansard roofed Baroque house. The place hosts concerts, literary evenings and other cultural avenues.
History
The original vineyards used to belong to the Carthusian monastery and later on to burgher Antonín who sold them in 1757 to the Clam-Gallas earl’s family. At first, the private land was adapted in the Rococo style. Following the purchase of the neighbouring vineyards Okrouhlík and Schönfeldka, they were converted to the Romantic style. However, the buildings by and large have preserved their Rococo appearance, and some of them have even retained it fully until this time. Prague’s gardener Josef Blecha, who was hired by Eduard – the son of Earl Christian Clam-Gallas, played a major role in bringing the park to blossom. The garden was open to the public on Sundays; it was as far back as 1895 that it became accessible permanently to the public. At this time, the whole premises were purchased by Mayor of Košíře Matěj Hlaváček, who built a garden restaurant and a dance hall in the chateau. In 1904, the place hosted one of the latest attractions the cinematograph that was operated by Dismas Šambor – Ponrepo. Klamovka was interested in movies and movie-makers were interested in Klamovka: the garden is the only locality in Smíchov and Košíře area that is captured on film strip.
In order to enhance accessibility, the owner built an electric tramway, the third one in Prague, which was, however, used by just a small number people at the beginning. The building had been falling into disrepair and was in a sorry state especially in the period after the First World War. In 1915, the place hosted the first Sokol celebration but it wasn’t until the 30s that the building was adapted as a Sokol club. Modern tennis courts were built and the garden restaurant was revamped. Between 1924 and 1926, family houses were established on some parts the land.
