THE SEVENTH CUP OF TEA – An Exhibition on the Beverage That Changed the World

KEY INFORMATION AND DETAILS

We invite you on a journey with seven stops, exploring the culture, history, and botany of tea. Travel with us to distant lands, delight your senses, and uncover the unique aromas, colors, and flavors of tea.

The Exhibition Hall will feature calligraphy by Petra Vitásková and a selection of photographs by Michal Thoma from his series "Tea Wanderers." On weekends, enjoy delicious tea prepared by our tea masters, and don’t miss a walk through the tranquil Japanese Garden. Inspired by traditional tea garden architecture, it maintains its charm in every season.

Embark on a journey through space and time to discover the divine beverage that has shaped history.

This exhibition is dedicated to Věna Hrdličková, the renowned Czech sinologist, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday this autumn. Věna Hrdličková worked closely with our botanical garden and, as the 50th participant in our "Roots of Prominent Personalities" project, planted a Stewartia pseudocamellia.

During the weekends, you can also visit our tea house, where experienced tea masters will serve you a perfect cup of tea. There will be tea ceramics available for purchase, as well as tea plant seeds for home cultivation.

When and Where

The exhibition will take place from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, in the Exhibition Hall of the Ornamental Garden.

Opening Hours for the Garden and Exhibition:

15–28 November: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
29 November 2024 – 5 January 2025: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, Thu–Sun from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm*

*From 29 November, the garden and the "Seventh Cup of Tea" exhibition will also be open in the evening, every Thursday through Sunday from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm, as part of the "Crystal Garden" light exhibition. Entrance during this time will only be possible from the Nádvorní Street.

On Thursday, November 28th, the tea exhibition will be closed to the public from 1:00 PM until the garden closes due to a private event – the opening of the Crystal Garden exhibition.

Special Holiday Opening Hours:

24 December: 9.00 am–2.00 pm (daytime only)
25 December: 9.00 am–4.00 pm (daytime only)
26-30 December: 9.00 am–4.00 pm (daytime) and 5.00 pm–9.00 pm (evening)
31 December: 9.00 am–2.00 pm (daytime only)
1 January 2025: 9.00 am–4.00 pm (daytime only)

Admission

Admission to the exhibition is included in the standard entrance fee to the botanical garden, which covers access to all expositions, exhibitions, and ongoing events (unless otherwise specified).

15% discount on admission when purchasing an e-ticket (Czech language only).
* ZTP/P visitors have the option of free accompaniment.
**Dogs are only allowed in Outdoor Expositions.
Annual passes, neighbour passes and VIP tickets are valid for this event.

How to Get to Us

The garden is accessible in various ways, but the most convenient is to use public transportation. Please click here for a complete overview of how to reach us, including parking information.

ACCOMPANYING WEEKEND PROGRAM

On Fridays and weekends, you can enhance your exhibition visit with a cup of exceptional tea in the Exhibition Hall. The renowned Lao Tea House provides the Tea Room.

During the tea house's operating hours, you can enjoy a wide selection of teas and purchase beautiful tea ceramics. For true tea enthusiasts, there will be a special opportunity to buy tea plant seeds to grow at home. Immerse yourself in the world of tea culture, discover new flavors, and enjoy a peaceful moment at the exhibition over a soothing cup of tea.

This version improves clarity, consistency, and flow while keeping the tone inviting and informative.

Tea Room Opening Hours:

• November 15–28: Saturdays & Sundays, 10.00 am –4:00 pm
• November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025: Fridays, 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 10.00 am – 9.00 pm

In the 9th century, Lu Tung wrote about tea:

…
“The first bowl moistens my lips and throat.
The second bowl banishes my loneliness and melancholy.
The third bowl penetrates my withered entrails,
finding nothing except a literary core of five thousand scrolls.
The fourth bowl raises a light perspiration,
casting life’s inequities out through my pores.
The fifth bowl purifies my flesh and bones.
The sixth bowl makes me one with the immortal, feathered spirits.
The seventh bowl I need not drink,
feeling only a pure wind rushing beneath my wings.
Where are the immortal isles of Mount P’englai?"
…

We look forward to seeing you over a cup of tea!

This exhibition is brought to you with the support of our partners, to whom we extend our gratitude.