The Royal Summer Palace, also called Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, was built by Ferdinand I in the years 1538 – 1560 on the eastern edge of the Royal Garden. Italian stonemasons worked on the arcade gallery and rich relief decoration, the extension of the first floor and the unique roofing is the work of Hans Tirol and Boniface Wohlmut. The summer house was intended for court entertainment and to make the stay in the garden more pleasant.
At the end of the 18th century, the Summer Palace was acquired for use by the Austrian army and after its stay, reconstruction had to begin in 1836. A monumental staircase and decoration of the hall on the first floor were created – wall paintings with themes from Czech history.
Today, the Royal Summer Palace serves mainly for exhibitions of fine arts and crafts.
The Italian inspiration of the Summer Palace is also revealed by the arrangement of the adjacent part of the garden – giardinetto with a regular composition of flower beds. The bronze Singing Fountain is the work of Tomáš Jaroš from 1564-68. The peculiar, ringing of bells, similar to the sound of falling drops, is best heard directly under the wide lower bowl of the fountain.
