Litomyšl is sometimes called the Mecca of contemporary architecture...

Undoubtedly, the first very successful architectonic realization in the modern history of the town is the Monastery Gardens. When Litomyšl had the idea of restoring them, it proceeded to an architectural competition, which was far from common in the 1990s (and is often not common today). The winner, architect Zdeněk Sendler from Brno, designed a new form of the place as a "garden - theatre, theatre - garden", where two Litomyšl churches dominate and the city skyline forms the background.

With its large, height-segmented grassy areas, the gardens are an ideal place for contemplation or a blanket rest. With an area of more than one hectare, every visitor is sure to find "their corner", whether it be the gazebo at the highest point, a bench near the fragrant flower beds or a wall overlooking the city centre. A special place is the water area surrounded by the sculptures of Olbram Zoubek. All this to the sound of quiet music from the pen of Bedřich Smetana...

During the Smetana Litomyšl National Festival, the monastery gardens are transformed into a second stage, where there is no need to go in formal clothes. The festival gardens function as a free zone and traditionally offer a rich accompanying programme.