Petrin Tower & Petrin Hill
Lesser Town, Prague 1

The steel-framework observation tower is 63.5m high, which doesn't seem particularly tall until you consider that it sits atop Petrin Hill, which itself is 318m (1043 feet) high.

Climb the 299 steps inside to reach the top of the Petrin Tower and the views over Prague are magnificent; on a clear day you can see the highest peak in Czechia, Snezka, 150km away.

Surrounding the tower at the summit of Petrin Hill are extensive landscaped gardens and a number of visitor attractions:

-Rose Garden

-Štefánik Observatory (Štefánikova hvězdárna), which is open to the public and has a large telescope and a museum

-Mirror Maze

-Children's Playground

-Church of St. Lawrence

-The Cavern (a small mystical building)

-The Hunger Wall (Hladová zed) - commissioned by Emperor Charles IV in 1360-1362, this forms part of the city's medieval fortifications. It gained its name because it was built during hard times, as a means of employment for the residents of Prague.

Small entrance fees apply for some of the attractions, but there is no need to pre-book.

There are also several cafés for refreshments.

The summit of Petrin Hill is a calm and pleasant area to stroll around at any time of the year, in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city below (the views are terrific, even without climbing the tower).

Much of the stone used to construct the historical buildings in Prague was quarried out of Petrin Hill. Today this is hidden beneath the park and woodland that cover the hillside.

To reach the summit and the Petrin Tower, take the Petrin Funicular Railway from the city centre.

The funicular departs from Ujezd street in the Lesser Town (Malá Strana), near Ujezd tram stop.

Other routes to the summit of Petrin Hill:

1. 30 minutes walk up Petrin Hill - the climb is steep, but the walk is pleasant, passing through gardens and wooded areas;
2. tram 22 or 23 to Pohorelec, then walk 10 minutes along Strahovska street;
3. taxi.

Following your visit to the summit, you can either take the funicular back down to the city centre, or you can walk back via the pathways on the side of Petrin Hill, possibly stopping off halfway at Nebozizek Restaurant or Petrinske Terasy Pub.

For young children, there is a well-equipped children's playground at the base of Petrin Hill, near the funicular terminal.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

Petrin Tower houses a Prague Tourist Information Centre. It provides details of upcoming events in the city, on the museums and historical monuments, and on accommodation.

The centre can also supply you with a map of Prague and information on the Prague public transport network - tourist information.