Petrin Hill in Prague - the most beautiful views of Prague Castle and the Eiffel Tower in Czech. Petřín Lookout Tower (Petřínská Rozhledna) Copy of the Eiffel Tower in Prague
Hello friends! I have long promised to tell you about the Petřín Lookout Tower in Prague. I have already described a walk in the gardens growing on the slopes of Petřín Hill, as well as sights on the top of the hill, in some detail. It's time to tell about the main object of Petrin - what kind of tower rises on a hill almost in the center of Prague, when and why it appeared there, and how to climb its observation deck.
The Petrin Tower cannot go unnoticed, despite the many architectural sights of Prague. And from the Charles Bridge, and from, and from, the openwork metal tower is perfectly visible:
As soon as the eye stops at this Petrin construction, many draw a parallel with the French Eiffel Tower. By themselves, questions arise, what kind of tower is this and whether it is possible to climb it. I will answer all these questions:
- How the Petřín Tower appeared in Prague
- How to get to Petřín Tower
- Visiting the tower with an ascent to the observation deck
How the Petřín Tower appeared in Prague
The initiators of the construction of the Petrin Tower were ... tourists. Representatives of the Club of Czech Tourists proposed to build an observation tower for the Zemsky anniversary exhibition, which was planned in Prague in 1891. They liked Eiffel's idea to design a tower for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. But, since Prague is located on a hilly area, they decided to make the tower smaller and install it on a hill.
The architectural design of the Petřín Tower was created by Vratislav Pasovsky. Engineers František Prashil and Julis Soucek became the direct executors of the project, which was implemented within six months. The Petřín Tower was constructed from March to August 1891, and on August 20 the tower was opened to the public.
175 tons of metal was required for such a structure:
The modern tower differs from the original design in that now its uppermost part is the antenna, and earlier the tower was completed by a crown with a flagpole. The antenna was installed in 1953 when the tower was used for television broadcasts.
The tower has two viewing platforms. The first covered gallery is at a height of 20 m and is suitable for wheelchairs. The second gallery is much smaller in area and is located at a height of 55 m. It can be reached either by stairs or by an elevator.
How to get to Petřín Tower
The fastest way to get to the top of Petřín Hill is to use the funicular. Where is the funicular station, and how it is organized with payment, I reported in. I will also add that a ticket can be purchased at the station ticket office, and its cost is the same as for one trip by other types of public transport in Prague - 24 crowns.
If you decide to go up the funicular, then you definitely need to get to the top of the hill. The funicular stops about half way, but it makes no sense to get off at the first stop. It's just that Petřín Gardens are equipped with playgrounds, and this stop is organized for the convenience of those who want to spend time on the playgrounds.
In my opinion, it is much more interesting, and even more useful, to climb Petřín Hill on foot. The paths there are comfortable, the views are excellent, and the climb is not fatiguing.
Although, if you enter from the side of the Strahov Monastery and Loretanskaya Street, you will have to stomp along the numerous steps:
So, you walk through the Petrin Gardens and gradually rise to the top of the hill. Soon you will reach the imposing wall, which is called Hungry (you will see it several times in the photos below).
You don't have to take the wall by storm, because it has an arch)) Just walk along the wall and you will see it. And behind the wall you will find wonderful rose gardens and sights of Petřín:
Take a walk along these alleys, keeping the observation tower in sight as a guide. So you will come to another arch in the wall, behind which the main object is waiting for you:
That's all - you got to the Petrin Tower, from which you will see the whole of Prague. Of course, it is best to plan your visit to the tower on a clear day.
Visiting the tower with an ascent to the observation deck
I have climbed the Petrin Tower in Prague twice. The first time it happened about ten years ago, and at that time the pedestrian lift was free, and only those who decided to use the elevator paid for the visit. But since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and now a visit to the Petrin Tower is paid in any case.
Here are the ticket prices for 2015:
- ticket for an adult - 120 kroons,
- for children - 65 kroons.
Keep in mind that this is the cost of walking up the tower. You have to master 299 steps to find yourself in the upper gallery. I assure you, in doing so, you will get several advantages. The fact that it is useful to walk up the stairs is understandable. It is convenient to walk along the updated wooden steps of the tower, especially since there are separate stairs for climbing and descending visitors, as well as benches for rest.
And the main plus is that the body of the tower is not glazed, unlike the galleries. So the best photos you will do it during the pedestrian conquest of the Petrin Tower.
But it will be a little later, and first of all, you need to enter a small room built into the base of the tower and purchase tickets:
The octagonal base of the tower covers an area of 20 m in diameter, so there was a place for the ticket office and a small museum on the basement floor.
Having received a ticket, we slowly rise, inspect all the sights of Petřín Hill and take pictures of everything our heart desires. Here, in all its glory, the towers of the Church of St. Lawrence appeared before my eyes, which was erected a few meters from the tower:
The sandstone wall that stretches across Petřín Hill from fortifications on Hradcany to the Vltava was built under Charles IV in 1360-62, when the monarch significantly expanded. The wall, 6 meters high and 2 meters thick, was supposedly built for defensive purposes. But historians are more inclined to the version that strategic reasons were not significant for the construction of the fortress wall. Mala Strana was more reliably defended by Petrin Hill. The construction of the wall was started in order to occupy the many unemployed people who flooded into Prague. Workers received food for their work, and this construction saved many from starvation. For this reason, the fortress wall began to be called Hungry.
Now behind the Hungry Wall scientific and cultural objects of Petřín Hill are conveniently located. Not far from the tower, the domes of the Stefanik Observatory are visible. And along the same site our path to the tower ran:
Since the staircase winds around the Petřín Tower, each turn brings visitors a new view. And now the complex of the Strahov Monastery opens before your eyes:
Let's look from above and at the cheerful turrets of the mirror labyrinth, which is located right there, on Petrin Hill:
By the way, there are complex tickets for visiting the tower and the mirror maze. Pay attention to this offer. If you are interested in the kingdom of crooked mirrors, then visiting these two attractions will cost less.
I took all these pictures in the process of climbing the Petrin Tower. Once in the glazed gallery at the top, visitors are content with a single open window ... So the ascent and descent are much more beneficial for the view of Prague in all directions. And with cloudless weather, you will see the capital of the Czech Republic in all its glory.
And since I visited Petrin Hill in autumn, charming golden landscapes awaited me at the foot of the tower:
Friends, I think that those who, for some reason, believe that Prague is small town, in which outside historical center there are only a few ordinary residential areas. And some believe that for Prague ends))
Rising to a height of about 400 m and looking around Prague, you will get an idea of the scale of the Czech capital. Let me remind you where such a height came from. Firstly, the Petřín hill itself “grew” to 327 m, and secondly, as you already know, the observation deck rises 55 m above the ground.
You will see, from the height of the Petrin Tower, Prague will open up to you with another of its beautiful sides.
Your euro guide Tatiana
The initiative to create the Petřín Tower in Prague belongs to the Club of Czech Tourists. It consists of metal structures and weighs almost 175 tons. It was created by Czech designers Julius Soucek and Frantisek Prasil.
The construction of the tower took only five months, despite the fact that its original height reached 60 m. In 1953, another 20 m was added to the height of the Petřín Tower, since the first relay television station in the Czech Republic was installed on its top.
Specifications
- Height 65.5 meters
- The base is located at an altitude of 324 meters above sea level.
- Two observation platforms, the top one is at a height of 55 meters.
On the underground level of the tower there is a small museum of Jara Tsimrman, a famous literary character, and on the ground floor there is a small cafe and a souvenir shop.
Outwardly, the Petrin Tower is very similar to the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The observation deck, located at a height of 55 m, can be reached by elevator or on foot, using a staircase of 299 steps. Do not worry about the rise, slowly it will take no more than 10 minutes and will bring great pleasure. Equipped seat place let you take a little rest. The tower has two floors (tiers), on the first tier you can also take a break. Going down doesn't take much effort.
lookout tower
Opening hours
- October - March 10:00 - 20:00
- November - February 10:00 - 18:00
- April - September 10:00 - 22:00
Photos from the observation deck of the Petrin Tower
Hi friends! The topic of our article this time is the Prague Eiffel Tower. And no, friends, this is not a typo. Such a building does exist. It is located in Prague on and is called the Petřín Tower (Petřínská rozhledna). Its observation deck offers the best views of Prague.
Administrative zone of Prague 1. Historical area Hradcany.
Every resident of Russia has been or heard about such historical place in Moscow as VDNH. The Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy was a place where workers from all branches of industry came. Here they shared their experience, here supply contracts were concluded, here every resident of the country could see all the most advanced and new things that were created and produced in a huge country.
Do you know when such VDNH appeared for the first time in history?
In the Czech Republic, in 1791. Then Prague for the first time gathered all its entrepreneurs and businessmen who demonstrated their latest achievements.
The idea was picked up by all countries. Soon the exhibitions became international and regular.
Well, okay, but what does the Petrin Tower have to do with it? Petrin Tower - something like ours Olympic venues. It was made and put up as a viewing platform for the anniversary Industrial Exhibition of 1891, which was held in Prague.
Anniversary exhibition and its objects
The 100th anniversary had to be celebrated not just on a grand scale, the Czechs had to surprise the whole world with their achievements. By that time, countries sent their best representatives to such grandiose events.
Looking ahead, I’ll say that the exhibition was a success, although there was a scandalous story at it when a balloon. Luckily no one was hurt.
During the exhibition, such a number of contracts were concluded that the industry of the Czech Republic rushed forward sharply and for many years became a country supplying Europe with the best technical innovations of that time.
Especially for the opening of the Prague Industrial Exhibition, 20 buildings and objects were erected, the first electric tram and two funiculars were launched. Indescribable delight and success was made by the world's first dancing fountain. The Petřín Tower was among such objects.
Tourists and entrepreneurs came here to enjoy the views of the city and relax.
It was a look from the near future of Prague. The tower has become a symbol of the new industrial and successful Czech Republic.
Originally from Paris
An initiative to build a tower and an observation deck on it to the Club of Czech Tourists. Its representatives in 1889 visited the World Exhibition in Paris, the entrance arch of which was just the Eiffel Tower.
Two years later, when preparations began for the jubilee exhibition in Prague, the Czech public figure Wilem Kurz proposed the construction of an observation tower in Prague.
The proposal was supported, and in the spring of 1891 construction began. It was completed by the end of the summer. The tower was made and installed in 5 months.
So the panorama of Prague and the historical Petřín Hill was adorned with a new building.
In 1953, the tower got a new function, and the era of television began for the inhabitants of Prague. The first relay antenna in the Czech Republic was installed on the Petřín Tower. And its height has increased by as much as 20 meters.
On the this moment the weight of the metal structure is 170 tons.
Height - 60 meters.
The tower is a free copy of the Eiffel Tower. Even technically, they differ: the Prague Tower has an octagonal base, while the Eiffel Tower has a square section.
In addition, the Petřín Tower seems a little higher due to the fact that it is located on a hill. Although the towers have the same height above sea level.
Impressive views
Why is this building interesting for us tourists?
Viewpoint located at an altitude of 55 meters. From here you can see St. Vitus Cathedral, the fabulous roofs of Prague, the Hungry Wall, and other sights of the city can be seen at a glance.
The tower itself is located at the junction of three administrative zones of Prague: 1 is Old city and zones 6 and 5, where new luxury buildings are located. Standing on the observation deck, you can see how the capital of the Czech Republic has grown and compare old Prague and modern Prague.
If the weather is good, not only Prague is visible, but the whole Czech Republic. You need good binoculars to check this statement)
On the lower level of the building there is a small cozy cafe and a souvenir shop, and the underground part of the tower is famous for the museum of Jara Tsimrman located there.
Yara Tsimrman is a talented hoax, a fictional character, but so bright and interesting that they write about him, put on performances and make films.
There are two ways to climb the tower:
- on the elevator
- and along the spiral staircase (on foot it's about 10 minutes)
Descent from the tower along the same spiral staircase of 299 steps. The staircase is open, protected by metal railings and a curb. Throughout the descent there small playgrounds for relax. You can enjoy views of the surroundings.
There are almost always a lot of tourists and photographers on the observation deck. As you already understood, everyone wants to shoot the most best view to the old city, and the happy owners of super new equipment are trying to squeeze all the possibilities out of their equipment and shoot the whole country.
After the observation deck, it is worth taking a walk along the hill itself. The places are beautiful, quiet, there are also entertainments - the Mirror Maze and the room of laughter. By the way, the Mirror Maze arrived on the hill from the same famous exhibition of 1891. This is a rebuilt pavilion of Czech tourists.
It is worth going here for a few hours, or better for a day. And, of course, it will be good for children here - no fuss, no noise, no crazy tourists)
Working hours
- From October to March: from 10.00 to 20.00
- April to September: 10:00 to 22:00
- From the end of autumn to the end of winter from 10.00 to 18.00
Official site: www.petrinska-rozhledna.cz
What is the price
- Entrance ticket costs 120 CZK for adults
- 65 CZK for children and preferential groups of people
- Elevator ride - 60 CZK.
- Entry is free for Prague Card holders.
How to get there
- From the Malostranská metro station on trams No. 12, 20, 22, 57, 91 to the Újezd stop. You can then walk up the hill to the tower or use the funicular.
- Buses from different parts of the city also run to the Újezd bus stop. Buses number 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 58.
- Bus number 176 goes to the Stadion Strahov stop. This is Ending station bus. From the stadium 1.5 km to the hill on foot not uphill, through an elite residential complex, a rose garden and a planetarium.
Address: Petřínské sady, 118 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Petrin Tower on the map
We have no doubt that the Petřín Tower will open up a new Prague for you, give you the opportunity to enjoy the views of the city from a bird's-eye view.
We look forward to your blog subscriptions. Goodbye!
Prague is undoubtedly a wonderful city in which you want to get lost and wander through the narrow streets, admiring the houses with a bizarre decoration of the facades. But in order to fully experience all the grandeur and beauty of the capital of the Czech Republic, you just need to climb somewhere up. This can be done with the help of the Petrin Tower, which rises on the hill of the same name.
Some educational information.
I think it is immediately clear that the tower on Petřín Hill resembles the famous Eiffel tower with its design. And this is no accident.
Petrin Tower was built on the initiative of the Club of Czech Tourists after visiting the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889, and is similar to the Eiffel Tower.
It was erected pretty quickly.
Construction began on March 16, 1891, and on August 20, its grand opening took place. The height of the tower is 60 meters. After the installation of a television antenna on it in 1953, the tower grew by another 20 meters. It was the first television relay station in the Czech Republic and operated until 1998 when a new TV tower was opened in Zizkov.
How to get there.
In order to get to the foot of the tower, you need to climb the hill - this is possible on foot from any direction. But I will describe the simplest and convenient way. Walk along the bridge of the Legions towards the hill to the monument to the victims of communism.
Turn right around it and walk a little. There will be a funicular. He is considered public transport and a standard jízdenky or travel pass is suitable for traveling on it.
A few minutes, one stop in the middle of the way, and you are at the top. Fast, convenient. It will be difficult to climb on foot, so I recommend using the funicular.
You will see the tower right away, and walk to it will remain quite a bit. Finding cash registers is not difficult. Entrance fee with climbing stairs - 120 kroons. There is also an elevator, it will cost 160 crowns to go up on it, if I'm not mistaken. We decided to go up the stairs - these are 299 steps.
The observation deck is located 50 meters above the ground, and given that the hill is quite high, the view from there is magnificent. The whole city, the hills in the distance - everything is in full view.
In clear summer weather, the landscape is very beautiful.
You can take a great panorama.
The houses with red roofs, the Vltava, bridges and various sights are very well visible.
The majestic St. Vitus Cathedral is perfectly visible.
I'm satisfied.
