Petřín and the Observation Tower

What a glorious day for a stroll through the park.  Petřín anyone?

Petřín is a hill in the center of Prague that rises some 130 km above the left bank of the Vltava River.  The hill, almost entirely covered with parks, is a favorite recreation area for Praguers.  I'd like to go to the Petřín Lookout Tower...yes, that's the one that resembles the Eiffel Tower! 

I like to take the Petřín funicular to the top of the hill.  Not because the walk is steep, that I don't mind at all.  Actually, the walk is quite nice... passing through gardens and even an apple orchard.  I just want to ride the  funicular because I find it to be fun!  Let's pick it up on Ujezd Street...

...And get on board!

The funicular has three stops:  Ujezd at street level; Nebozizek is the middle station and there's a great restaurant there where you can kick back and enjoy the views; and Petřín at the top of the hill.  Since we're going to the tower, we'll go straight to the top.  

Interesting tidbit:  According to Czech legend, the name of the middle station stems form an incident in which Emporer Charles IV, requesting food, was unable to properly pronounce the Czech words "nebo řízek" (meaning, "or schnitzel").  Mmm, řízek...

The funicular was originally opened in 1891, but closed with the start of the First World War in 1914.  The current longer track opened in 1932, and operated through the Second World War.  In 1965, Earth movement caused suspension of the service, and it did not resume until 1985.  At that time new cars were provided and the track was reconstructed, but the original machinery remained.  

 I'm terribly afraid of heights, but apparently the view is spectacular.  So I'm going to look my fear in the face and head on up the tower... gulp!

Petřín lookout tower is 60 meters high (that's 196.85 feet), which makes it five times smaller than the Eiffel Tower.  Although it's much shorter than the Eiffel Tower, it stands atop a sizable hill, thus the top is actually at a higher altitude than that of the Eiffel Tower.  The tower was built in 1891 and was used as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower.  

Ready to climb its 299 steps?  Or you can take the elevator, but I'm climbing...see you at the top!

The beginning of the climb wasn't so bad because the stairs are walled in.  No pics of the rest of the climb because, well, let's just say my fear of heights got the best of me.  

Alex on the other hand has no fear...

There are two viewing platforms... here's the view from the first one

Can you believe we were just down there?

Some commie looking stuff...

And here's the view from the very top.  

Well worth the climb (299 steps seems like a lot, but it took maybe 5 minutes and wasn't bad at all!)

They said it would be spectacular, and it truly is!  

Apparently, on a clear day you can see Snezka, the highest peak in the Czech Republic, which is 150 km from the tower

I did it, I conquered my fear of heights!  Errr, well not really, but I climbed, I saw, and I survived!

Right next to the tower is this cute castle-like building.  Can you guess what it holds?  A labyrinth!  

Built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition in Prague

The exhibition was meant to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the first industrial exhibition in Prague in 1791.  It comprised a showcase of Czech industry and acquainted visitors with the monuments and notable sights of our country whilst promoting the development of tourism.

This pavilion's main attraction was a dioramic picture entitled "Battle with the Swedes on Charles Bridge", which took place ion 1648.  This recalled events at the end of the Thirty Years War when the Swedish army invaded Prague

After the exhibition ended, this pavilion was transferred to Petrin Hill in 1892.  The following year, it was turned into a mirror labyrinth along the lines of the Prater in Vienna.

Not a difficult labyrinth by any stretch of the imagination...I was hoping for one similar to that in The Shining, but fun nonetheless...

The Hall of Mirrors rocks!

Hahahha that was fun and good for a laugh!  Shall we stroll through the park and make our way towards the Strahov Monastery and Hradcany?  The views along the way are magnificent!

Now that we've had a nice, leisurely stroll through the park, let me show you one last thing before we head off for a pivo and a bite...

Hunger Wall (Hlavova Zed)

Dating back to the 14th century, this wall stretches from Strahov across Petřín Park to Ujezd.  You can see it from the observation tower we were just in, but alas I don't seem to have a photo of it (I blame that damn fear of heights!).  

The Hunger Wall was built by order of the Holy Roman Emperor and Czech King, Charles IV, between 1360-1362.  It is said that Charles IV built this wall to help the poor in Prague during time of terrible famine.  The poor working on the structure received food for themsleves and their families, and although old records prove that the Czech lands did indeed suffer from great famine in the 1360's, building the wall was probably only a strategic act.  

This wall used to serve as the fortification of the southern part of Lesser Town and Prague Castle from the west or south for more than 500 years (1362-1848).  Today, only about 1200 meters have remained from the original length of the wall, which is about 6 meters high and almost 2 meters wide.  Its inner walkway is protected by battlements and a platform for marksmen.   

I hope that you enjoyed our day in the park!!!