(27 Aug 2014) A visit to this 300 year old garden in the Czech Republic is like travelling back in time.
The Flower Garden in the eastern city of Kromeriz was created in the second half of the 17th Century by Bishop Charles II Lichtenstein-Castelcorn.
With European Union funds, It is now being restored to its former glory.
Set in the shadow of an imposing castle, the garden was designed by architect Filiberto Lucchese and was completed around 1675.
It's a rare example of the early Baroque style of gardening that combines an Italian Renaissance garden with the new French Baroque approach - typical for the period of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King.
With its preserved original geometrical layout and high topiary walls, the garden was listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1998.
What makes it even more special is that the Flower Garden survived for centuries mostly unchanged.
"Here, time has stopped, somehow," says Lenka Kresadlova from the National Heritage Institute.
"As it served as a kitchen garden, most of its artistic features, including the topiary, were preserved. It was a fortunate coincidence that allowed this garden to be preserved in its original authentic shape, when all other gardens created in the era ceased to exist. That's why we are so unique and that's why we are put on the UNESCO list."
While most original features remain, some of its significant parts and details have either gradually disappeared or were damaged.
Efforts to revive the garden began in the 1950s, but recent EU money has made it possible to restore about a third of the garden.
None of the original design plans are thought to exist, but archaeological research has uncovered a series of copper engravings from 1691. They provided enough detail for the contemporary garden architects to base their work on.
The space is divided by a network of axes, a rotunda in the centre, labyrinths, fountains and a 244-meter long colonnade with 44 sculptures inspired by Greek and Roman mythology.
Kresadlova says: "This is our goal to give the visitors a chance to relive the atmosphere. We might not be faithful to every single detail but the whole atmosphere and the spirit of the place should return to the early Baroque time."
The flower beds have been restored, including a fountain with the original statue of a water god.
Animals, and rabbits were common in 17th century gardens. An artificial hill that contained a system of burrows disappeared in the 18th century and has now been rebuilt with the original statue on top.
Landscape architect, Zdenek Sendler is in charge of the refurbishment.
He says: "Overall we enjoyed the job because to work at the UNESCO site is binding, there are lots of limits and you don't have the freedom. That means you have to restrain yourself to balance within the boundaries of the preservationists but you still should still at the same time time keep your own creativity and personal artistic expression."
Among the more exotic of species of plants growing for the climate include an orange garden.
In winter, the whole area was covered with a wooden shelter and heated. The structure was difficult to maintain and disappeared in the 18th century.
Because it is not known what the original wooden structure looked like, the citrus trees have been planted in wooden barrels and will be placed in a glasshouse during winter.
Not all of the attractions are outdoors. Among the most striking of its assets is a gallery of sculptures of the god Pan.
In the middle of the space is a meditative sand pendulum.
The garden is 65 kilometres east of Brno, the second largest Czech city.
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