Petřín Hill (Prague)

Czech Republic / Stredocesky / Hradcany / Prague
 park, recreation area / ground, hill, neighbourhood, town district
Petřín (327 m a.s.l.) is a hill in the center of Prague. It rises some 130 m above the left bank of the Vltava River with the Observation Tower on top. The hill, almost entirely covered with parks, is a favorite recreational area for the inhabitants of Prague. The hill is in German known as Laurenzisberg.

The statue of famous Czech romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha, the author of lyrical epic poem Máj (May), published in 1836, is located on the wide landscape park of the Petrin hill-side. The 1st May is celebrated there as the Time of love- Majales.

A small version of Paris's Eiffel Tower, Petrin Observation Tower was built in 1891 on the top of Petrin for the Jubilee Exhibition of Czech Kingdom is 60m tall. It does´t sound particularly high until you add the fact that it sits on the top of Petrin hill, overlooking the whole of Prague.

The view is magnificent and well worth the 299 step climb to reach the viewing platform. On a clear day it is possible to see the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Snezka, which is 150km from the tower.

The Observation Tower is set in landscaped gardens that dominate the summit of Petrin hill. These make for a very pleasant stroll anytime of the year, as an excursion from the city centre.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petřín
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petřín
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   50°4'52"N   14°23'45"E

Comments

  • Good Place for a picnic - get off the beaten tracks for some solitude with views over the Old Town.
This article was last modified 11 years ago