Petrin in Prague

Petrin

At 327 metres high, Petřín is the highest and only hill in the centre of Prague. This popular spot is famous for its superb views over the city and is home to a number of attractions.

In the 10th century Petřín was an important execution site, and later on a vineyard and quarry were established there (in use until the 19th century) with many of Prague‘s buildings built from its stone.

Today Petřín is a perfect spot for a very pleasant and romantic walk, and there are a number of ways you can reach it, including on foot or by a funicular, which runs regularly. Tickets are the same as for the rest of Prague's public transport system. The funicular stops half way up the hill at Nebozízek, where there is a famous restaurant of the same name. It was opened in 1763 and has been there ever since. If you dine there you can enjoy spectacular views over the city, especially at dusk.

Petřín is famous for its tower (Petřinská rozhledna), which was built in 1891 by the Club of Czech Tourists as a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Some of the best views of Prague are the reward for those who climb the steps. When you are at Petřín you shouldn‘t miss the famous mirror maze (Bludište), in a neo-Gothic castle. First, find your way through a labyrinth, and then you will come to a diorama depicting the battle between Czech and Swedish forces on Charles Bridge during the Thirty Years‘ War. After seeing the diorama you can have fun with the convex and concave mirrors.

Petřín in Prague

The park adjacent to the tower contains a rose garden (Růžový sad), with some 12,000 roses. This park was created at the beginning of the 20th century and it offers numerous places to sit and relax.

When you visit Petřín you should see one of Prague’s most famous monuments – the Hunger Wall. During the reign of King Charles IV many people in the Czech lands were without work, and for this reason construction of this humanitarian wall began. The structure extended from Újezd to Strahov and then to Hradčany.

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism is also very interesting. It is situated at the bottom of Petřín, on Újezd street. It consists of seven figures and the inscription beside it reads: “To the victims of communism 1948-1989: 205 486 sentenced, 248 executed, 4 500 died in prison, 327 died on the borders, 170 938 emigrated.”