Covered with forests and orchards and dotted with strolling lovers, Petřín Hill is a soft counterpoint to the spires of Hradčany on the Vltava’s left bank. Rising more than 1,000 ft (300 m) above sea level, the area began life as a vineyard in the 15th century, but has been a public park since 1825. Early chronicles say it was the site of pagan rituals to the god Perun, and believers still practice ancient rites here on May 1 each year. Above all, however, it is the perfect escape from the bustling city crowds.
Malá Strana
Funicular: open 9am– 11:30pm daily; adm; www.dpp.cz
Observation Tower & Mirror Maze: open Apr–Sep: 10am–10pm; Mar & Oct: 10am–8pm; Nov–Feb: 10am–6pm, adm; en.muzeumprahy.cz/prague-towers
Strahov Monastery: open 9am–noon & 1–5pm daily; adm; www.strahovskyklaster.cz
Church of St. Michael, Church of St. Lawrence: Closed to the public except during Masses (Sun, Mon or Fri)
Štefánik’s Observatory: opening hours vary throughout the year; adm
Modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Petřín Hill’s 210-ft (63.5-m) Eiffelovka stands only one-quarter as high as its inspiration. The tower was created for the Jubilee Exposition of 1891. A climb of 299 stairs leads to the viewing platform.
It may be ugly, but Strahov Stadium is the largest arena of its kind in the world. It was built for Sokol, a physical exercise organization, and used for gymnastic rallies. Today it is a rock concert venue.
Founded in 1140, Strahov houses the nation’s oldest books in the Strahov Library, while still functioning as a monastery. The Theological Hall, with its frescoes and statue of St. John, is a must-see.
The 14th-century wall was once part of the city’s southern fortifications. Charles IV is said to have ordered its construction as a project to feed the poor during a famine.
After laughing at the distorting mirrors in the labyrinth, take in a bit of history with a diorama depicting the final battle of the Thirty Years’ War on Charles Bridge.
Mácha is a national poet, best loved for his Romantic poem “May.” On May 1, admirers lay flowers at his statue.
Still used for services, this lovely little 17th-century wooden church was moved to Prague when the Ukraine valley it stood in was flooded by a dammed-up river.
Operating since 1928, the observatory was named after M R Štefánik, a Slovak diplomat and cofounder of the Czechoslovak Republic, as well as a scientist and astronomer.
Facing the mirror maze is this onion-domed church, built on a pagan shrine in the 10th century and rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th century.
If you want to save your breath, do as visitors have done since 1890 and take the funicular railroad to the top of the hill and walk down. The cable car offers outstanding views of the castle to the north.
Strahov has suffered pillaging armies, fires, and totalitarian regimes. Josef II dissolved most local monasteries in 1783, sparing Strahov on the condition that the monks conduct research at their library. Today the majority of the research involves paper preservation. On display are old books, pictures, ornate gospels, and miniature Bibles.
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