Petřín as a whole does not stand in isolation within Brown's world. It forms part of a wider network of locations on the left bank of the Vltava that the author wove into his plot.
History of Petřín
Petřín is a 327-metre-high hill on the left bank of the Vltava, forming one of the most distinctive landmarks of Prague as seen from the right bank of the river. Over the centuries the hill has been known by various names — Hora, Kopec, Vrch sv. Vavřince — and its rocky character was already noted by the chronicler Cosmas. Tradition holds that it was precisely the abundance of rocks (Latin petra) that gave the hill its name, Petřín.
The area has been settled and economically exploited since ancient times. Near the Church of St Lawrence stood a medieval place of execution, which was relocated to the opposite hill of Vítkov only after the construction of the Hunger Wall — a fortification whose building was ordered by Emperor Charles IV between 1360 and 1362 to provide work for the poor during a time of famine. Remnants of this wall are still visible on Petřín today, a reminder of medieval Prague's social policy.
Petřín Hill comprises ten historic gardens and parks of varying origin and age, together forming a green complex of approximately 78 hectares. It ranks among the most valuable and diverse parkland complexes within the capital.
Architectural and Natural Highlights
Petřín Lookout Tower
The Petřín Lookout Tower is the unmistakable centrepiece of the hill. This 63.5-metre-tall steel structure was built in 1891 as a smaller, lighter replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, erected for the occasion of the General Land Centennial Exhibition. It has been open to the public ever since, and from its summit visitors enjoy a panoramic view across Prague and the surrounding countryside.
Mirror Maze
Close to the tower stands the Mirror Maze, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in a romantic timber building designed to evoke a medieval castle. The maze contains dozens of distorting mirrors alongside a historical diorama depicting the battle between the citizens of Prague and the Swedish army on Charles Bridge in 1648. This building plays a key role in Dan Brown's novel — Langdon's flight through its corridors filled with twisted reflections is one of the most gripping passages in the entire book.
Štefánik Observatory
At the summit of Petřín stands the Štefánik Observatory, opened in 1928, which offers year-round public observations of the day and night sky alongside educational programmes popularising astronomy and the natural sciences.
Vrtba Garden
The Vrtba Garden, accessible from Karmelitská Street in the Malá Strana district, is considered one of the finest Baroque gardens in Prague. Its cascading terraces were loosely inspired by Italian garden design, and the garden is listed as a cultural monument.
Seminary Garden and Rose Garden
The Seminary Garden is one of the oldest gardens on Petřín, with origins dating back to the 14th century. It is renowned for its rose garden containing more than two thousand species and varieties of roses, as well as historic glasshouses used for cultivating tropical and subtropical plants.
Churches and Chapel
Two churches stand on Petřín: the Baroque Church of St Lawrence and the timber-framed Church of St Michael, relocated here from Medvedivka in Ukraine. Nearby stands the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, built as a replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Underground Tunnels
The hill is threaded with 18 underground tunnels, of which Vojíř Tunnel XXII in the Lobkowicz Garden is open to the public and houses an exhibition of photographs documenting underground Prague.
Monuments and Sculptures
The slopes of Petřín are home to statues of many celebrated Czech figures, including the poet Karel Hynek Mácha, the writer Jan Neruda, the poet Jaroslav Vrchlický, the composer Vítězslav Novák, and the actress Hana Kvapilová. The Mácha monument near the summit has long been a traditional meeting place for lovers. At the foot of the hill, on Újezd, stands the striking Memorial to the Victims of Communism by sculptor Olbram Zoubek — seven bronze male figures descending a staircase, each one more worn and fragmented than the last, as though gradually consumed by time and suffering.
Visitor Information
The most convenient way to reach Petřín is by funicular railway, the oldest cable-operated railway in the Czech Republic, measuring 510 metres and connecting Újezd in Malá Strana with the hilltop. The funicular runs year-round, with stops at Újezd and Nebozízek; it is part of the Prague integrated transport system and standard public transport tickets are valid.
The hill can of course also be reached on foot — from Malostranské náměstí, along Karmelitská Street, or from Strahov Monastery. Petřín Hill directly adjoins Strahov Monastery and Prague Castle, making it easy to combine a visit with these nearby landmarks.
The Lookout Tower and Mirror Maze are open year-round. Admission is charged; reduced rates apply for children, students and seniors. The Štefánik Observatory holds public observation sessions according to a schedule published on its website. The Vrtba Garden is open seasonally, generally from April to October. Parking for visitors to Petřín is available, for example, in the enclosed car park of the ÚAMK at Strahov.
Petřín Hill lies within Praha 1 and is freely accessible throughout the year, at no charge, 24 hours a day.