Medical Garden

History

After 1740, the political and economic stabilization of the country and the in flux of provincial nobility provoked wide-spreadbuilding activities. The main driver of the period’s architecture was the construction of aristocratic palaces.

In the east of Bratislava centre, renowned Viennese architect Ján Jozef Thaller designed a palace with  an extensive garden, which is still well-maintaine dand now named the Medical Garden.

The palace was built in 1770 under the patronage of Duke Ján Gobert from Aspremont and inspired by his official residence. The building has a large central pavilion with oblique side wings, which border an internal courtyard between the palace and garden.Architecture of palace is drawn from rococo, late baroque and classical styles.

The park was originally arranged in a French style, divided into the three parts: a ceremonial part linked to the palace, a private park for an orchard and the third section was a dense copse. A French baroque garden comprised the core of the ceremonial area. It was divided into three lines with eight rectangles of varying widths. Flower beds were ornamented with sculptures. The garden was well- known for its wealth of rare trees, plants and flowers. The garden’s horticulture had a minor connection with famed landscape architect Ignác Pauer at the end of 18th century.

In the following decades, the estate and park were given to count Esterhazy,who organised many concerts there for prominent guests. According to written record,the Medical Garden is known to have once hosted famous composer Jozef Haydn. In the second half of 19th century, the garden was purchased by merchant Karol Schiffbeck. Since then, the garden has gone through many undesirable changes, particularly reduction of the area due to expansion of the city. Before the end of the 1800s, the garden was granted to a university for use by the school of medicine. The school improved standards of maintenance and the garden was made accessible to the public. Unfortunately, only a small portion from the French baroque garden and its subsequent enhancements were preserved.

Description of the park

The garden has retained its axial symmetry. An elevated courtyard which belongs to the palace is separated from the rest of garden by a stone wall with a metal fence. A renovation project has brought solutions to issues like replacement of ill or poorly positioned trees, lighting, location of sculptures and respect of the original purpose of the garden.

Fauna and flora of the park

In the garden,magnolia flowers and chestnut trees are plentiful as well as a beautiful red beech tree specimen.

Múdre stromy

Current use

The Medical Garden comes alive in the summer. Popular events include picnics, circuses, cultural activities and musical performances. “Summer in Medical Garden” is the name of a regular, annual series of events that are designed for both children and adults,for example, theatre and puppet shows. It is also used for sports activities like yoga.

Contact

Mestský úrad Staré Mesto: +421(2)59246111

Plan your way

Opening hours

Opening hours:

April to September: 07.00 - 21.00

October to March:10.00 - 18.00

Accessibility of the park