People can see the unique and still-functional Masaryk's beehive from Jelení příkop

Prague - Visitors to Prague Castle can admire the reconstructed and still functional Masaryk's Beehive while walking through the Jelení Příkop, which was designed by his court architect Josip Plečnik at the request of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk at the beginning of the 1930s. The beehive is located in Lumbeho Garden, which is not accessible to the public, but it can be seen from Masaryk's lookout. The Castle uses the honey from the beehive for ceremonial purposes, the presidential office informed ČTK.

"Despite its age, the beehive is fully functional and is currently adapted for the breeding of eight colonies of bees, which produce between ten and sixty kilograms of honey per hive per year. The finished honey is used for the ceremonial needs of the Office of the President of the Republic and the Administration of Prague Castle. Currently, we are raising queens of the Sklenár line, which account for half of the beehive, while the other half contains an apiary workshop," said Jan Komberec from the Administration of Prague Castle. According to beekeepers, the bees have excellent forage in the historic residence of Czech kings and presidents - apart from the vast castle gardens or Jelení Příkop, they also fly to Petřín.

The beehive at the Castle was built by the first Czechoslovak president as a copy of a Slovak beehive in Bystrička near Turčianský Svätý Martin, where Masaryk used to visit and had a summer house. The construction was carried out by Slovak carpenters using traditional methods.

Masaryk's beehive was last reconstructed over ten years ago. The Jelení Příkop, where Masaryk's lookout is located, is open to visitors every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and entry is free. Flowers for the decoration of the Castle are grown in Lumbeho Garden, which is also referred to as the production garden. In addition to the flower beds, greenhouses, and beehive, there is also a unique water reservoir from the time of Emperor Rudolf II. It is open to the public only on special occasions. The garden borders Lumbeho Villa, where the presidential couple resides.