CRYSTAL GARDEN – A Glass Symphony of Light and Music in Fantastical Installations

WHAT AWAITS YOU

This winter, the Prague Botanical Garden will once again be transformed into a vibrant world of colour and light. Monumental glass flowers, trees, and fantastical forms, created by Jiří Pačinek and his team, will fill both the Outdoor Expositions and the Exhibition Hall, transforming them into a magical setting where nature meets art.

The 2025 edition brings remarkable collaborations: PKF – Prague Philharmonia will provide the musical backdrop, while students from UMPRUM will enrich the visual dimension with digital art and video mapping. With the support of the Czech Commission for UNESCO, the exhibition assumes a truly international significance.

Among the highlights are Prague’s largest illuminated tree adorned with glass ornaments, interactive light installations, an audiovisual show, and the enchanting transformation of glass in both daylight and darkness.

Crystal Garden opens the door to a world where Czech glassmaking, contemporary art, and music blend into a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.

KEY INFORMATION AND DETAILS

Dates: 28 November 2025 – 8 February 2026

Location: The Ornamental Garden and St. Claire’s Vineyard

VISITING HOURS

EVENING VISIT (illuminated and with music)

Thursday – Sunday, 5.00 pm–9.00 pm

• Entrance via Nádvorní 134 (normally exit only) and the Kovárna ticket office (with access to the Zoo parking lot by the Vltava) – see map.
• Opening hours of entrances: Nádvorní 134 from 4.45 pm–8.30 pm; Kovárna ticket office 9.00 am–8.30 pm.
• No reservation required. Admission is valid during the stated opening hours.

DAYTIME VISIT (installations in natural daylight, without music)

Monday – Sunday, 9.00 am–4.00 pm

• Entry via Fata Morgana, Bohnice, or Kovárna entrances during regular garden hours. – see map.

COMBINED VISIT (day + evening)

You can visit both the daytime and evening exhibitions on the same day with a single ticket.
Remain in the garden after 5.00 pm to enjoy the illuminated evening programme.

During evening visits (Thursday–Sunday), the garden is open 9.00 am–9.00 pm.
From 5.00 pm, only the Ornamental Garden and St. Claire’s Vineyard will be accessible.

Refreshments will be available at stalls throughout the garden as well as in Café Ornament.

INFO LINE

For exhibition-related enquiries, our information line is available Thursday–Sunday, 10.00 am–8.00 pm.

ADMISSION

Entry to the Crystal Garden (day and evening visits) is included in the standard admission to the Prague Botanical Garden. Your ticket grants access to the entire garden, all expositions, and concurrent events (unless a special fee is specified).

15% discount when buying e-tickets.

Neighbourhood passes are not valid for evening or guided tours.

Annual passes and VIP tickets are valid.

* Visitors with ZTP/P are entitled to one accompanying person free of charge.
 ** Dogs allowed only in the Outdoor Expositions.

GETTING HERE

Accessibility

The Crystal Garden exhibition is suitable for prams.

The garden is easily accessible by public transport or by car. See parking details below.

By car & parking

• Free parking: U Trojského zámku (limited spaces).
• Paid parking: U Trojského zámku, 50 CZK from 5.00 pm (operated by the Prague Zoo).
• Additional options: Povltavská parking lot; Botanical Garden Bohnice parking lot (note: the Main Entrance Bohnice closes at 5.00 pm – you will need to walk outside the botanical garden grounds for the evening visit).

Important notice

Access to Nádvorní and Trojská streets near the garden is prohibited without special permits from the Prague-Troja district. Unauthorised parking will be fined. Thank you for respecting residents.

Exits after evening visit

After 9.00 pm, exits will only be available through Nádvorní and the Kovárna ticket offices. All other entrances/exits will be closed.

FOOD & SHOPPING

Visitors can enjoy refreshments and purchase unique glass artworks and gifts from Pačinek Glass.

ABOUT JIŘÍ PAČINEK

Jiří Pačinek is one of the most prominent Czech and international glassmakers of today. His extensive experience and collaborations with leading figures in the art world (such as artist René Roubíček and architect Bořek Šípek) led him to establish his own brand, Pačinek Glass, in Lindava in 2007.

In 2015, he opened his own glassworks in Kunratice near Cvikov, which has since become a destination for glass art enthusiasts from around the world.

In 2020, he presented the project Crystal Cathedral, located in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Kunratice near Cvikov, directly adjacent to his glassworks. The church offers a unique combination of glass art and sacred architecture.

The Crystal Garden exhibition at Prague Botanical Garden is another unique project continuing his life’s work.

We look forward to welcoming you to the kingdom of light, music, and fantastical flora!

This exhibition is held in collaboration with Pačinek Glass, to whom we extend our sincere thanks.