Have you heard about the Eiffel Tower on Petrin Hill in Prague? Coming to the capital of Czechia, Prague tourists expect to see old castles, ancient monuments and magnificent cathedrals. However, Prague offers some spots of natural value as well. One of those is Petrin Hill.
At the top of the hill is observation tower, cathedral of St. Lawrence, observatory, mirror labyrinth, Petřín Gardens and more. Let’s begin and find out the most popular attractions there.
Want to see a small version of the Eifel tower? Maybe walk around a mirror labyrinth or see beautiful gardens? Then you should definitely find time to visit Petrin hill while being in Prague.
Gardens on Petrin Hill in Prague
Petrin Hill is the largest green area in Prague, and is a center of active rest in the city. There are also numerous gardens: Rose Garden, Seminary Garden, Nebozizek Garden, Kinsky Garden, Lobkowicz Garden.
The latter is the oldest one and is a part of German embassy. It is not open for public, unlike Nebozizek and Rose Gardens, which are very popular with tourists.
The Rose Garden
The place occupies 5.6 hectare and is a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It turned into a garden only in 1932. While planting 8,000 roses of various shapes and types were used.
The main attraction of the garden is roses and there are over 12000 of them. Besides, there are benches around the park to take a rest and enjoy the flowers. The Rose Garden is free to enter all year round.
Seminary Garden
The area of the park is 13 hectares. Its history begins back in 1611, since the building of the Church of the Virgin Mary. Until the end of the 18th century there were mainly vineyards and artificial ponds. Carmelite monks grew fish and frogs for lean food here.
In 1912-1914 began the reconstruction. 10 years later, the city bought a garden from the seminary, demolished the walls and opened it to the public.
Besides, on the territory there is a medieval chapel, a small lake, a spring “Petrin” and a restaurant “Petrin terraces”. The entrance to the garden is free.
Nebozizek Garden
The total area of the park is 8 hectares. During the reign of Emperor Charles IV it had been a vineyard. In the 15-16th centuries there were fruit gardens instead of them. Later, the city council of Prague bought this territory and in 1842 it opened for public.
There are such monuments: to the Czech patriot Vojtěch Náprstek, Karel Hynek Mácha, Vítězslav Novák.
There are also a funicular station “Nebozizek”, a garden house, a tennis court and a small hotel “Nebozizek”. The upper part of the park has observation platforms. The entrance to the garden is free.
Kinsky Garden
The gardens around the Kinsky summer palace are the best examples of English landscape parks in the whole Prague. There were old vineyards and the owner of the land Rudolf Kinsky to turned them into a beautiful garden.
In the center of the gardens are two lakes at different levels. The landscape planning saves the feeling of pure nature. There are arbors and benches to take a rest.
Kinsky’s garden is beautiful at any time of the year, but is especially in autumn. Entrance to the gardens is free.
Lobkowicz Garden
And the last, but not the least is Lobkowicz Garden. It is the oldest among all gardens on Petrin Hill in Prague. Nevertheless, it is closed to the public due to the German embassy located there.
Mirror Maze
The pavilion was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. From the outside, Mirror Labyrinth looks like an ordinary building. But inside, a complex system forms fanciful tunnels, cutting off reality and creating a complete sense of lack of escape.
This spot of the park both parents and children will have great time laughing out loud looking at reflection in mirrors.
31 mirrors create all the infinite tunnels of the Labyrinth. In 1911 there appeared the Hall of Laughter with 14 distorting mirrors. Mirror Labyrinth is among the most visited and favorite attractions in Prague. Near the park you may find Calvary Chapel, Holy Sepulchre Chapel and the Church of Saint Lawrence.
Admission fee: 70 CZK
Opening hours:
- January – March, November, December: weekends at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- April: daily 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- May – August: daily 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- September: daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- October: daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Štefánik’s Observatory
There is a scientific institution – an observatory named after Milan Štefánik. He was one of the founders of Czechoslovakia, legendary pilot and astronomer-scientist. The observatory currently has three telescopes. One of the telescopes is used only by scientists. Two others are accessible to all who are interested in other worlds.
Employees of the observatory have developed a number of educational programs for people of all ages.
Moreover, there is also an exhibition. It presents the history of the observatory, interesting facts, rare photographs of the sky, and pieces of meteorites.
On the territory you can also see one of the oldest Sundials in Europe. The watch preserved well and is still capable to show time. Next to the clock is an instruction that you can use to learn how to determine the exact time by the sun.
It takes a long time to delve into a complex system of signs and lines, but, nevertheless, this activity will seem interesting to both adults and children.
You can look at them for free, as they are under the open sky. Visiting hours are from 9.00 to 22.00 hours.
Hunger Wall
The Hungrer wall on Petrin Hill in Prague is a medieval defensive structure. During his reign, Charles IV built this Wall and the hill became of strategic importance. Its aim was to protect the Prague Castle and the area of Lesser Town from any possible threat.
The height of the wall reached 4.5 m, width – up to 1.8 m, and on top the fortification was equipped with battlements and eight bastions.
The name “hungry” appeared after 1361. According to legend, construction works on the wall provided money for food to the poor who worked there.
Cathedral of Saint Lawrence
The Church of Saint Lawrence in Prague is the Old Catholic Church of the Czech Republic. It is located next to Petřín Lookout Tower and the Hunger Wall. Originally, it was a Romanesque church, later rebuilt in the Baroque style.
Due to the ancient Prague legend, for centuries pagans worshiped Perun the Thunderer here. To consolidate Christianity and eradicate pagan rituals, Boleslaus II in the 10th century built the church on the place.
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
One of the most expressive and ambiguous monuments in Prague. In 2002 Prague’s councils decided to built a memorial and dedicate it to all who somehow suffered during the years of the totalitarian regime.
The work was done by Olbram Zoubrek and architects Jan Kerel and Zdeněk Holzel. It is a stairway leading upwards with seven emaciated men. Each following figure is more destructed and after the seventh sculpture the stairway ends.
The bronze plaque nearby says:
“The memorial to the victims of communism is dedicated to all victims not only those who were jailed or executed but also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism”
Lookout Point
Reaching the top of the hill, you will find not only mini Eifel tower, but also a well-organized Lookout Park. It occupies the territory of about 2,5 ha and takes place between the Seminar Garden, the Rose Garden and the Lobkowicz Garden.
The park has rather long history as it was started back in 1836, last being modified in the 1930s.
The Eiffel Tower of Prague
Probably, one of the most exciting sights offered by Petrin Hill is a mini Eifel tower – a small version of the one in Paris. It is an observation tower which was constructed in 1891 and devoted to the Jubilee Exhibition. The tower itself is only 60 meters tall, but as it stands on 318-meter-tall hill, it is visible from many corners of the city.
The view on the city from this point is outstanding. To reach the top you have to climb 299 steps. In the basement you can find an exhibition, depicting the history of the tower.
At the same time the height of the hill together with the tower makes this spot one of the best fields of vision on Prague.
Price and work hours
Observation tower on Petrin Hill in Prague opens a completely new and amazing view on the whole city. Keep in mind that entering there you need to pay fee: basic ticket costs 150 CZK, reduced – 80 CZK, and family ticket – 350 CZK.
Opening hours:
- November till February: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- April till September: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- October: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
How to get to Petrin Hill
To get closer to the Hill you will need tram #22 and get out of it at the stop Pohorelec. No matter which route you choose be sure to take good mood and camera with you.
Tram Stop Újezd:
- in the afternoon: Trams No. 9, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, 41;
- at night: Trams No. 97, 98.
Bus Stop Koleje Strahov:
- in the afternoon: Bus No. 143, 149.
Funicular
To reach the top of Petrin Hill in Prague you have two options. To delight the magnificent view on the city you can walk up by feet. Or use funicular instead. You can get on it in the Lesser Town (Mala Strana).
The ticket is the same as for all public transport, so you can use it if you have one. To find more information about public transport: Public Transport in Prague.
On its way to the top the funicular makes one stop at Nebozizek Restaurant. Therefore, if you feel hungry or need extra power for exploring Petrin Hill, stop here and have a dinner.
A starter costs around 130 CZK, prices for main course vary from 150 to 400 CZK. Dessert will cost on average 90 CZK. The view from the restaurant is magnificent.
Tour with local guide
Prague has a huge number of amazing places, but almost all of them are hidden from a tourist. We offer you tours with local guide to get the maximum out of your time in Prague!
