The Frýdlant castle park

The castle hill was still bare at the beginning of the 18th century. From the old pictures it is apparent that the land around the castle was not well maintained and sheep grazed on it.

The first person to come up with a grand-scale plan adaptation and development of the whole castle surroundings was Christian Christopher Clam – Gallas, but the main credit is given to his son Edward.

The desire for rapprochement with nature and its gentle transformation in a spirit of the period, gave the sloping terrain of the park a natural look. The paths were built to enable the promenade around the castle and trees were planted. Water supply was led through the park in lead pipes, the water was powered by a water wheel, placed under the castle in the river Smědá. The river Smědá runs around the castle on the south and west side, it supplies water to the castle pond, which creates a romantic retreat and an island.

The park in the pre-war years continued past the river Smědá, where one part was later turned into tennis courts and the other part near the stone bridge under the castle was a supply vegetable garden with vast number of greenhouses that later came under administration of the city council and was turned into a garden centre. Nowadays there is a town campsite.

The present-day look, which has stabilised over the years, is of a naturally landscaped character. The park area has become an significant element of the whole castle district and in dendrology terms it is richest in vicinity of the main entrance of the castle.