The Petřín Tower is the most Parisian landmark in Prague. Petřínská Rozhledna Observation Tower Petřínská Rozhledna Petřín Tower on the map
The Czech equivalent of the Eiffel Tower rises - Petrin Tower, albeit in a somewhat reduced form. To get to it, you can take the funicular or take a fascinating walk through the labyrinth of streets and the beautiful park laid out on the eastern slope of the hill.
In this article we will try to collect all the information you need to know before visiting the Petrin Tower. We will show you what the famous Prague tower looks like in photos and videos. We'll tell you how to get there, inform you about opening hours and ticket prices.
The external resemblance to the Parisian dominant is not accidental. It is due to the trip of members of the Czech Tourist Club to Paris in 1889, which inspired them to build the Petrin Tower in Prague. However, the Club could not carry out the project alone, and the help of the public was required.
Money for construction was raised very quickly. Dr. Vilem Kurz helped to awaken the feelings of his compatriots in 1890, who wrote the article “The Observation Tower on Petřín Hill - a view from the near future of Prague.” Having come up with the initiative for the Petrin Tower project, he noted that the Czech Republic deserves to be crowned with a miracle of engineering, since it is the locomotive for the industrial development of all of Europe. The observation deck of the tower will rise above the city and will become its highest point. It will be delivered by an elevator, and the construction period will not exceed 1 year. Quite a bold and daring project, the possibility of which many compatriots did not believe, but in vain! In the spring of 1891, construction work began, and some five months later (August 20, 1891) the grand opening of the Petrin Tower took place.
The height of the tower is 60 m (with a television antenna installed in 1953 - 80 m). 299 steps lead to an observation deck 50 meters above the ground. For 45 years the tower was used as a relay tower until a new one was opened.
If you are lucky with the weather and your eyesight does not fail you, you will be able to see Snezka - the highest mountain in the Czech Republic, located 150 km from the capital.
Opening hours
You can climb the Petrish Tower all year round, but, unfortunately, you will not be able to watch the sunrise there. From October to March it is open from 10:00 to 20:00. From November to February from 10:00 to 18:00. And the longest work schedule starts in April and ends in September from 10:00 to 22:00.
Entry fee
The ticket price is 120 CZK. Family already 300 CZK, which means 2 adults and up to 4 children. Children and benefit groups - 65 CZK. To use the elevator you need to pay an additional 60 CZK. And if you have already purchased a Prague Card tourist card, then entry is free for you, but OpenCard gives you a 10% discount.
How to get there?
Tower address: Petřínské sady, 118 00 Praha 1.
To get to the Petrin Tower, you need to go to the Újezd tram stop using the following tram numbers: 1, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 20, 22, 25, 57, 58 and 59. Then, as mentioned above , you can walk or take the funicular - that’s the name of its starting point Újezd LD, and to the end. And then you’ll figure it out for yourself!
This is what the funicular ride looks like
Quite a fascinating video. Imagine that you are the driver of this funicular.
Petrin Tower on the map
With this map you can not only see the location of the Petrin Tower, but also get directions to it.
(Petřínská Rozhledna), made in the form of a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower, was built in 1891 for the anniversary exhibition. The height of the tower is 60 meters. She may seem short, but don't forget that she stands at the top Petrin hill, whose height is 318 meters.
Climb 299 steps to reach the top and enjoy the magnificent view of all of Prague from there. On a clear day you can see the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Snowball (Sněžka), the distance to which is 150 km!
The Petrin Tower stands in beautiful gardens, which are pleasant to stroll through at any time of the year. On the hill there is also a hall of mirrors, Stefanika Observatory, open to the public, church and rose garden (inexpensive tickets to the observatory, observation tower, hall of mirrors can be purchased on site, no need to book in advance).
Most of the stone used for the construction of the main buildings was quarried from Petřín Hill. This is now well hidden by the grass and trees covering the slope.
To get to the observation tower and other attractions at the top of the hill, you can take the cable car that leaves from the street County (Újezd) in the area (tram stop Újezd).
Or you can take a half-hour walk up the steep slope, enjoying the gardens and alleys.
After you have enjoyed the sights, fresh air and magnificent views of Prague, we recommend you visit the restaurant Nebozizek (Nebozizek). Funicular stops at a stop Nebozizek on the way up and down. Or take a short walk from the top to reach the restaurant.
Finally, at the base of the hill, next to where the funicular stops, there is a well-equipped children's playground.
The funicular is part of Prague's public transport network, so one ticket for travel on trams, buses and the metro is also valid on the funicular.
Observation tower ticket price:
120 CZK for adults, 65 CZK for students and children.
Opening hours:
October, March: daily 10:00-20:00
November-February: daily 10:00-18:00
April-September: daily 10:00-22:00
Contact Information:
Petřínské sady
Prague 1 - Malá Strana
tel.: 257-320-112
email: [email protected]
http://www.muzeumprahy.cz
Petrin Tower on the map
How to get there
Take the tram to the stop Ujezd(trams 12, 20, 22, 57). Then take the cable car and ride to the top. The funicular operates from 09:00 to 23:20. ( The funicular is not working: March 10-28 and October 7-25).
If the cable car is not working:
- from the stop Pohorelec(tram no. 22.) along the street Strahovská or Úvoz
- from the stop Malostranské náměstí(tram no. 12, 20, 22.) along the street Tržiště or Vlašská
- from the stop Újezd(tram no. 6,. 9, 12, 20, 22) up through Seminářská Garden
- from Strakhov College or stations Strakhov Stadium walk through the college grounds and rose garden
When preparing a trip to the Czech Republic, for some reason it was Petrin Hill in Prague that stuck in my memory the most. In my opinion, this is one of the best places to visit if you are traveling to the Czech capital for the first time. Then you can go deeper into some streets, museums, galleries and gardens, but Petrin Hill (this is its other name, and sometimes also Petrin), along with the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, needs to be seen in the very first days. These attractions will help you feel much more deeply the spirit and atmosphere of this fabulous city.
And although I usually don’t like sights, in Prague you don’t feel like you’re just “checking a box,” but rather like you’re being transported hundreds of years ago. The feeling that all the events from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, Andersen and other authors familiar from childhood took place right here in Prague. I didn’t expect myself to be so impressed by this wonderful city.
We decided to get to Petřín Hill by cable car; no one in our family had the passion to trudge up such a mountain on foot =) But taking the cable car was interesting and free, because we had a city pass, the price of which already included travel on the cable car (tourists often forget or don’t know about this). The entrance to the ski lift is located next to the monument to communism, or more correctly to the victims of the communist regime. Personally, it didn’t evoke any associations for me at all, although in principle I agree that a person’s individual personality is erased under this regime.
The funicular turned out to be a small tram type, slowly crawling up. At first there is only greenery around, but the higher you go, the more interesting it is to look out the window =)
No sooner had we emerged at the top of Petřín Hill than the children rushed off to explore the area. There are gardens, flower beds, benches everywhere, the most pleasant impression!
In the end, the researchers found a house-tree-tent)) Just like in fairy tales, the apple tree bowed its branches to shelter Alyonushka, who was being pursued by geese and swans. There really isn’t an apple tree here, but in my opinion it’s still the coziest tree =)
We walk a little further and in front of us is the Stefanik Observatory. Milan Stefanik was a pilot and astronomer-scientist, a man who loved the sky =) Please note that behind the monument to this legendary man in the Czech Republic, there is a sundial (a wall with lines and triangles sticking out of it). Previously, ordinary residents of Prague used this way to find out the exact time in their city.
Many people are surprised how this is possible, but Mishuta and I have already been to the observatories of ancient stargazers in the East and have seen huge and complex astronomical “instruments”, some of which are as tall as a multi-story building. And we saw with our own eyes how these clocks still work! So, the Prague sundial did not cause us the slightest doubt; believe me, it still works to this day;)
Another structure from those ancient times is the Hungry Wall, the battlements of which are partially visible in this photograph.
It’s hard for me to believe, but it was built between 1360 and 1362, during the reign of Emperor Charles IV. I swear, I never thought that Prague is such an ancient city, and that it has preserved its heritage to this day. It is believed that the Hungry Wall was nicknamed because during its construction the labor of poor people was used, who were paid pennies for their work, but nevertheless this somehow gave them the opportunity to have a means of subsistence. Another name for the wall is Jagged, I think it’s clear where it came from;)
The temple in the frame above is called the Church of St. Lawrence or Wawrzyniec. According to legend, at this place the pagan peoples of the local lands in ancient times worshiped Perun, the god of fire. In the end, the Christian monarchs decided to convert ordinary people to their faith by building a church on this site in the 10th century. Initially it was wooden, but over the years it underwent more and more changes, acquiring in the 18th century the appearance that pleases the eye today.
Very close to the Church of St. Lawrence is the modern symbol of the city - the Petrin Tower in Prague. And I’m not exaggerating about the symbol, because magnets and various souvenirs with the image of this particular “Prague Eiffel Tower” are simply piled up all over the Czech Republic :)
To be honest, it didn’t remind me of its French counterpart at all, and even standing next to it, I still couldn’t understand why they were selling the symbol of France everywhere in Prague =) But in principle, if you look closely, there is undoubtedly something in common between them.
Climbing the steps to the Petrin Tower costs CZK 120 for an adult, CZK 25 for a child under 6 years old and CZK 55 for children from 6 to 15 years old, there are also comprehensive family tickets. For travel by elevator you need to pay an additional 60 CZK per person, which is added to the ticket.
We didn't go up because... for our entire family of 4 people it was quite expensive, but you can still see beautiful views of Prague from the hill, and you don’t need a tower for this at all;) We walked right along the road behind the tower itself, finding a descent from the mountain there.
First along the stairs, and then along a normal asphalt road.
I can’t help but say that the views from here are worse)) They are incredibly beautiful, and the surrounding greenery around only adds color. From the tower it would be somewhere down there, like moss, but here it’s as if you yourself are part of this picture.
The best part is that there are numerous benches in the most convenient places to enjoy the spectacle. I sat down, admired it, and moved on. And there is something to admire... St. Vitus Cathedral rests its points in the sky.
In the distance you can see the Vlatva with bridges spanning its waters...
We went down, so we didn’t feel tired, but some, on the contrary, climbed up to the tower from the side of Prague Castle, so the places to rest really helped them a lot during the climb. I preferred to sit on the grass and just enjoy the moment. Immediately I was surrounded by a crowd of schoolchildren, who were also in a hurry to settle down on the grass, albeit in a low place.
The tower was left far behind. Petřín Hill in Prague is truly the highest vantage point in the city.
Halfway up the trail I turned left instead of going further down to Prague Castle. In the end I ended up at a beautiful cathedral.
As it turned out, this is the Strahov Monastery in Prague. And it was built back in 1140-1143. I just can’t get used to such dates; I was taught that the 10th century is the most ancient time in our history, when nomads ran around the world we were used to, and there were several wooden fortresses. That’s why it’s always especially difficult for me to imagine that somewhere in those antediluvian times there already stood monasteries, palaces, temples... Walking through these internal squares and feeling their spirit was simply incredible!
Undoubtedly, the history of the Strahov Monastery is very rich, for such and such a time, and its name comes from the word “guard,” and this says a lot. The monastery occupied such a strategic place in ancient Prague that it was destroyed more than once. It acquired its modern Baroque appearance after the attack of the French army in 1742.
Once outside the opposite gate of the monastery, you can immediately take the tram. But despite the fact that by this time I was noticeably tired, I still decided to return and walk further down the mountain to Prague Castle.
On the way, I was very surprised by the fact that there seemed to be an ancient cultural heritage right there, which in essence should just be a “museum”, but nearby there were old but well-kept houses in which ordinary people live! Among such and such beauty!! And my grandmother had these wooden benches on the street =)
It was completely unexpected that these powerful doors with forged rings instead of handles suddenly opened and the housewife in some kind of home clothes came out to slam the rug)) No matter how many times I had seen such old quarters in various cities before, they were always some kind of cold buildings, already without a soul, just to “look”. But Prague in this regard surprised and enchanted immensely.
I kept imagining that a medieval lady was about to come out, rustling the hem of her dress. Well, I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s like a fairy tale, a real fairy tale, and therefore how can ordinary people live here?? :)
For example, either the palace of the princess from the Bremen Town Musicians, or something from Alice in Wonderland)) But certainly not the home of a modern person. But Prague is an incredible mix.
Each home is unique and inimitable!
All you have time to do is walk and turn your head :)
Beauty is all around!
I went to a cafe to taste delicious ice cream and experienced final and complete satisfaction from this walk =) Then I walked to the tram stop and went home to our cozy apartment in Prague, which we rented directly from the owner on Airbnb.ru. The day was a success! ;)
If you want to visit Petrin Hill in Prague, then below I will tell you how to get there. You can get there by trams No. 6, 9, 12, 20, 22; 57, 58, 59. The stop is called Újezd.
Directly opposite it, you will see the same monument to the victims of communism. If you are facing it, you need to go right along the road. After about 200 m you will literally run into a lift. To travel around Prague, be sure to purchase a single pass; using it, the ride on the funicular will be free. You must present it at the top, just look carefully at the end date and time, the Czechs are strict about this.
Prague is undoubtedly a wonderful city where you want to get lost and wander through the narrow streets, admiring the houses with intricately decorated facades. But in order to fully experience all the grandeur and beauty of the capital of the Czech Republic, you simply 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’s immediately clear that the tower on Petrin Hill resembles the famous Eiffel Tower in its design. And this is not without reason.
Petřín Tower was built on the initiative of the Czech Tourists Club after visiting the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889, and is similar to the Eiffel Tower.
It was erected quite 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 another 20 meters. It was the first television relay station in the Czech Republic and operated until 1998, when a new television tower was opened in Žižkov.
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 either side. But I will describe the simplest and most convenient way. Walk along the Bridge of Legions towards the hill to the monument to the victims of communism.
Turn right near it and walk a little. There will be a funicular there. It is considered public transport and a standard jízdenky or travel card is suitable for travel on it.
A few minutes, one stop in the middle of the journey, 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 immediately, and it only takes a short walk to get there. Finding the box office is not difficult. The cost of entry via stairs is 120 CZK. There is also an elevator, it will cost 160 CZK to take it, if I'm not mistaken. We decided to take the stairs - it's 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 cool panorama.
The houses with red roofs, the Vltava, bridges and various attractions are very clearly visible.
The majestic St. Vitus Cathedral is clearly visible.
I'm satisfied.
Petrinskaya Tower (Petřínská rozhledna) - a tower with two glazed platforms, located on the top (Petřín). Located in the center of Prague, on the left side of the river. The observation deck offers stunning views of the city's sights.
NAVIGATION
Story
After the Paris World Exhibition of 1889, the Tourists Club came up with a proposal to build an analogue of the Eiffel Tower in Prague, for the Zemstvo Exhibition. Public figure Vilem Kurtz helped choose the location, and in one of his articles he substantiated the advantages of using Perunova Mountain. Due to the fact that Prague is located on five (according to the city information service, nine) hills, the height of the metal structure is three times less than that of the prototype.
The designers who adapted the Eiffel Tower to the Prague landscape were engineers František Prašil and Julius Soucek. Construction began on March 16, 1891, and 157 days after the start of construction the grand opening took place.
Description
175 tons of metal parts were used during construction. The foundation beams are laid 11 meters deep, and the central octagonal shaft houses an elevator flanked by two open staircases. The height of the building was 63 meters, and was crowned with a flagpole, damaged by fire in 1938. In 1953, the flag was replaced with an antenna, increasing the structure by 20 meters, creating the first television broadcast station in the Czech Republic.
The tower has two galleries, at a height of 20 and 55 meters from the ground. The lower, larger platform is used to lift wheelchairs and rises above the trees. The upper one is too narrow for immobilized people with disabilities; strollers cannot turn around.
The first floor was built in the neo-Renaissance style and is used as a cafe and shop. On the basement level there is an exhibition dedicated to the fictional literary character Yar Tsymrman. The upper gallery is used as an observation deck, offering a panoramic view of the city.
Due to its location on a hill, the building, soaring above the city, turned out to be higher than in Paris. You can get to the top by walking 299 steps or using the elevator.
Observation platforms
The panoramic platform offers visibility over most of Prague. In the direction of Malá Strana there is a noticeable transition from old buildings to modern areas. Well distinguishable (Pražský hrad) and, Vaclav and Vojtěch (Katedrála svatého Víta). The bend of the Vltava and (Karlův most) are visible. The Josefov and Nusli districts are visible, as well as the Nuselský most bridge.
Across the river, in Stare Město, you can see the Virgin Mary (Týnský chrám), the Tower Above (Prašná brána) and the tower of the Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice).
Nearby are the Petřínské sady, the most extensive, ancient and beautiful Prague park occupies 2.5 hectares of the hill and surrounding areas, located on the site of a sacred pagan grove.
One of the reasons for the name of the hill is the worship of Perun. Here, in a pagan grove, near an old oak tree - the altar of a formidable deity, the eternal fire of Perun burned for centuries. Boleslav II (Boleslav II. Pobožný) ordered to put out the fire and cut down the oak, on the advice of Bishop Vojtěch (Svatý Vojtěch), and on the site of the temple in 992, the first chapel of St. Lawrence (kapličku sv. Vavřince) was erected.
The observatory, being on the highest place in the city, improves visibility of the starry sky. The Hungry Wall (Hladová zeď), a surviving part of the fortifications built by order of Charles IV in the 14th century, for the development of Mala Strana. Church of St. Vavřince (Kostel sv. Vavřince), a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, built in 1740-1742, in the Baroque style.
The mirror labyrinth (Zrcadlové bludiště) looks like a miniature castle, equipped with crooked mirrors inside. There are legends about groups that disappeared in its corridors.
Ticket price
When visiting the tower, you need to know that the cost of entry varies greatly for different tourists:
- For adults - 120 (CZK), with Opencard 108.
- For children from 6 to 15, students from 15 to 26 (confirmation required) and pensioners over 65 years old - 65 CZK, with Opencard 59 CZK.
- Children from 3 to 6 years old and disabled people pay 25 CZK. Family visit for two adults and 4 children, 300 CZK.
- A group of 10 primary, secondary or college students pays 30 per person.
- Group of kindergarten students 10 CZK per person.
Pedagogical support for group visits is free.
A coupon for visiting the tower together with other attractions is cheaper. The cost is per person, with the exception of family cultural trips:
- Tower and mirror maze, 190, saving 100 CZK. A family visit costs 450 CZK. Valid for 1 day.
- Prague Towers 480, savings 300 CZK, family pass 1100 CZK. Valid for 3 months.
- Museums of Prague (Pražské věže + hlavní budova muzea, Podskalská celnice Na Výtoni, Zámecký areál Ctěnice) 580, savings 350, family ticket 1300 CZK. For an individual visit it is valid for 3 months, for a group visit - 1 week.
The elevator is paid, the cost is 3 euros, for the disabled it is free.
Opening hours
The times when the observation site is open to the public vary depending on the length of daylight hours. In the summer season, the Petřín Tower works 4 hours more than in the winter. In the off-season months, the time is increased by only 2 hours.
- In November - February, from 10 to 18;
- In March and October, from 10 to 20;
- In April - September, from 10 to 22.
All buildings of the Petrishinsky complex operate according to this schedule.
An additional 30-minute tour of the exhibition located on the ground floor. Ticket sales stop 30 minutes before closing. Tickets are sold only through the box office, unless these are complex admission tickets.
The funicular operates in the summer from 9 to 23:30, in the winter it stops 10 minutes earlier. In spring and autumn, for 15 days, preventive maintenance is carried out and the lift does not work.
How to get there, address
The building is located in Petershin Park, at Petřínské sady 118 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic. The nearest metro station Malostranské náměstí, public transport stop, Újezd, trams 6, 9, 12, 20 and 22 stop.
You can go up by cable car or on foot. The length of the funicular is 130 meters, the fare is paid, it costs 20 CZK, or with a travel card. The funicular runs every 10 minutes in summer and every 15 minutes in winter. There are two stops, the intermediate one Nebozízek and the final one. After leaving the trailer, you need to continue driving and turn right after 100 meters.
From Pohořelce Street take tram 22. Walk from the Koleje Strahov stop. You can also travel on foot through the park from (Strahovské nádvoří).
Contacts:
- Phone: +420 725 831 633, +420 257 320 112