Zahrada Kanálka • Botanická zahrada Kanálka

Count Josef Emanuel Malabaila de Canal bought in 1782 a vineyard estate Herzovka (in today's Vinohrady). A year later, he bought also neighboring vineyard Sixtovka, and soon afterwards also others (Andělka, Kocourka, Cikánka, Kuchyňka and other between the current streets U Kanálky and Italská). All plots girdled by walls and began to rebuild the vineyards to legendary garden, which was soon after that named by him - Kanálka (now considered one of the most valuable areas of the 18th and 19th centuries). Kanálka is finalized in 1791 and since 1800 is also open to the public free of charge. There was a Botanical Institute, vegetation and physiological station with botanical educational establishment, greenhouses, lecture hall, place for botanical collections and scientific work. There held several courses of grafting and potatoes (at that time still were not common) and sugar beets were cultivated. In the early 19th century there was built also an experimental sugar refinery. Kanálka is known for its landscaped grassy areas, extensive planting of native and exotic trees, shrubs and flowers, alleys, garden pavilions, fountains, pools, Chinese garden, hermitage, but also animals - the agricultural and also for small zoo.

There was a farm yard, Experiment Station for the noble breeds of cattle of Swiss origin, farm machinery displays and demonstrations of valuable breeds of farm animals. Tiny zoo was consisted of aviaries of domestic and exotic birds, ponds with fish, but also of the monkey house.

Kanálka was very popular. The evening festivities were attended by various celebrities from inland and abroad. Among the gravest guests was the English writer Washington Irwing, but most famous visitor of Kanálka was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Entrance to the garden has been free for long time, but eventually due to vandalism count Canal booted a small entrance fee.

In 1826, count Canal died and his only daughter Josephine inherit the Kanálka. But she didn't met his father's last will and already in 1827 sold the Kanálka to count Buquoy. The count keep the garden only for three years and in 1830 sold it to Miritz Zdekauer. Zdekauer sell part of land, but otherwise, also during the time of his ownership Kanálka was a picture of health and served its purpose. He renamed it to Zdekauer's garden (Zdekauerova zahrada), but the name didn't happen to be deep-rooted and everybody continue to use the original name. After the Zdekauer death (1854) his greedy heirs assume the park, leading to a significant dilapidation and finally to abolishing Kanálka (1895 - source Ministry of Environment or 1884 - source National Heritage Institute) and the subsequent parceling for building lands (1901 - 1903).