The Towers of Prague
Enjoy the magic of Prague from a bird's-eye view! If you enliven your stroll through Prague by going up any of the towers that Prague City Tourism now manages, you will certainly not regret it. Every one offers unusual views of the historic squares, the magical mosaic of the roofs, and the bridges and embankments of the Vltava River waterfront. Moreover, the towers themselves are a diverse showcase of architectural styles.
The tallest and youngest of Prague’s towers is the 60-metre Petřín Lookout Tower, which stands proudly on top of Petřín hill, at 327 meters above sea level. It was built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 as a loose copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. If you want to have the whole of Prague before your eyes, there is no better place!
Immediately adjacent is the Mirror Maze – one of the most popular family destinations in the city. The building, shaped like a small castle, houses the "Hall of Laughter", a labyrinth of variously curved and twisted mirrors that will instantly turn you into a dwarf, a beach ball, or a beanpole. This place is great fun for kids and adults alike.
You’ll get a waft of magical Lesser-town atmosphere when visiting St Nicholas Bell Tower, right by the magnificent Baroque Church of St Nicholas on Malostranské náměstí square.
At both ends of Charles Bridge, are the Old Town and Lesser Town monumental Gothic Gate-towers – from their galleries you get views of Hradčany castle, the surrounding Old Town and Lesser Town and the fabulous sculptural gallery along Charles Bridge, as though in the palm of your hand.
Opposite the Old Town Bridge Tower are the vast grounds of the Clementinum, dominated by the 68-metre-high Baroque Astronomical Tower. In addition to experiencing a unique view of the Old Town, you will also see astronomical instruments and one of the most beautiful Baroque libraries in existence during your guided tour.
Close by the Municipal House on Náměstí Republiky square, stands the unmissable late Gothic Powder Gate Tower, with its own awesome views of Prague.
In the Petrská district on the right bank of the Vltava River stands the New Mill Water Tower, a heritage monument that served its original purpose until the end of the 19th century; it now serves to offer exceptional views of the surroundings.