Petrin Hill

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The Petřín Lookout Tower was built in just four months for the General Land Centennial Exhibition in 1891.

2. 2

   The Hunger Wall was reportedly built to provide employment and bread to the city's poor during a famine in 1361.

3. 3

   The hill's geological composition includes sandstone and limestone, which were historically quarried for Prague's earliest stone buildings.

4. 4

   The mirror maze houses a famous diorama depicting the 1648 Battle of Prague on Charles Bridge.

5. 5

   The hill is designated as a protected natural monument due to its rare flora and fauna.

Overview

Petřín Hill is a prominent landmark rising 327 meters above the Vltava River in central Prague. The hill features a 63.5-meter tall steel observation tower constructed in 1891, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Visitors can explore the expansive Petřín Gardens, which include a rose garden, an orchard, and the Baroque-style Wallenstein Seminary garden. A mirror maze, originally built as part of the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition, is located near the tower. The Hunger Wall, a 14th-century medieval fortification commissioned by Charles IV, stretches across the hillside. The hilltop also hosts the Štefánik Observatory, which offers public stargazing sessions. The area serves as a significant green space within the Malá Strana district, connected by a network of paved paths and stairs.

Insider tips

• Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the steep, winding paved paths and numerous stone steps.

• Bring a jacket, as the hilltop elevation often results in significantly lower temperatures and higher wind speeds than the city center.

• Visit the rose garden located near the upper station for one of the most concentrated floral displays in the city.