Welcome to the Eiffel Tower’s little sister—the Petřín Tower—which has stood over Prague for over 130 years. It is a marvel of engineering, a witness to a rich history and a testament to Czech skill and creativity. In this exhibition, you’ll discover how the Petřín Tower became an icon of Prague and why it attracts visitors from around the world. Photo: Vojtěch Náprstek, credit: ČTK (Czech News Agency) the birth of inspiration… The Petřín Tower was born out of admiration for the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Members of the Czech Tourist Club saw it when visiting the 1889 Paris Exposition, and they were profoundly impressed. Their fascination was both aesthetic and symbolic: the tower represented the free spirit, technological progress and industrial maturity of the times. On the way back to Prague, they decided to build a loose copy of this architectural icon in Prague for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891. Vojta Náprstek. Patriot, ethnographer, political exile, patron and visionary. His ten- year sojourn in the USA had a great influence on his progressive thinking. He supported the emancipation of women and, among other things, sought to legalise the possibility of burial by cremation. In 1889 he organised a trip of the Czech Tourist Club to the World Exposition in Paris. a race against time The construction of the Petřín Tower in just four short months was a matter of prestige for the Czechs, proving their industrial maturity within the Habsburg monarchy. The fact that it managed to open during the Jubilee Exhibition made it a symbol not only of technological progress but also of national pride. Photo: Construction of the Petřín Tower, credit: Muzeum hl. m. Prahy (The Museum of Prague) Photo: Construction of the Petřín Tower, credit: Muzeum hl. m. Prahy (The Museum of Prague) same idea, different conditions Although the builders of the Petřín Tower tried to imitate the Parisian model as faithfully as possible, local natural conditions forced some critical differences. Unlike Gustav Eiffel, who built his tower on level ground, the Czech architect Vratislav Pasovský had to contend with the unstable ground on Petřín Hill. Therefore, he doubled the number of support points for the structure to eight and anchored all the legs in massive stone piles sunk almost eleven metres into the ground, thereby providing the tower with the necessary stability. Vratislav Pasovský (1854–1924) was a Czech architect and one of the founders of the Czech Tourist Club. He contributed to the Petřín Tower and several educational institutions. As chairman of the Czech Tourist Club from 1890 to 1915, he helped establish the first tourist trail markings in the Czech Republic and was honored for his contributions to tourism and architecture. tops at the same altitude Although the Prague tower is one-fifth the size of the Paris tower, thanks to its location on Petřín Hill at 324 metres above sea level, the tops of both towers are at almost identical altitudes, providing comparable panoramic views. Photo: Hitler in Prague, credit: ČTK (Czech News Agency) hitler wanted to demolish it Not everyone was as enchanted by the tower as the people of Prague, for whom it soon became an ideal destination for a stroll. “That lookout tower on the hill has got to go. It spoils the view,” complained Nazi leader Adolf Hitler during his visit to Prague on 16 March 1939, as he looked out over the city from Prague Castle. Fortunately, Hitler’s wish was never fulfilled during the Nazi occupation of the country. Hitler’s architect and creator of monumental Nazi buildings, Albert Speer, visited Prague in December 1941 at the invitation of Reinhard Heydrich. In the photo, Speer (on the left) and Heydrich (second from the left) are riding through Prague in Heydrich’s open Mercedes convertible. In the background is the Petřín Tower. as time went on backdrop of paris Petřín Hill is the throbbing heart of love and romance in Prague! Spread below the foot of the miniature Eiffel Tower, its park offers visitors an almost Parisian atmosphere. The almond and cherry orchards blanket the hillsides with the beauty of thousands of blossoms in the spring, adding to its charm. The custom of lovers meeting on Petřín Hill on May 1st to exchange a kiss under the flowering trees is a beloved and deeply rooted tradition among Praguers. a moving lookout point from petřín hill Since its construction, the Petřín Tower has been easy to reach thanks to the funicular railway. After several recent modernisations, it now offers a unique experience thanks to new glass cars that provide visitors with a panoramic view of Prague. In the years to come, further upgrades will give the new funicular cars unique features such as winking and blushing when they meet each other, reflecting the romantic spirit of Petřín and adding a playful and emotional dimension to the ride. Photo: The old cable car, credit: Archiv DPP inspiration for apollinaire The Eiffel Tower inspired not only Czech architects but also the Czech avant-garde, thanks to the massive popularity of French culture among Czech poets during the interwar period. The most popular among them was Guillaume Apollinaire, whose “Shepherdess Eiffel Tower” literally enchanted the Czechs. petřín in poetry The tower also inspired Czech poets. It was celebrated by such literary greats as Jaroslav Seifert—laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature—and the most musical Czech poet, Vítězslav Nezval. For him, the tower was “the lady that all of Prague looks up to.” homage to notre dame Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Petřín Tower transforms into a symbol of international solidarity and support. Its colourful illumination is a response to important days and global events or expresses support for specific countries. An example is the lighting of the tower in the colours of the French flag as a show of support after the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. In this way, the tower becomes part of world events. Credit: Magistrát hlavního města Prahy (Prague City Hall) discover the beauty of prague from petřín From the vantage point of the Petřín Tower, you’ll get a fascinating panorama of Prague that includes all its iconic landmarks. Take in the sights of Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Strahov Monastery, the National Theatre and other historical gems from a unique perspective. This view lays out the city’s rich history at your feet and offers an unforgettable visitor experience. meet the bohemian spirit Prague, the city with a Bohemian spirit, invites you to discover its free, independent atmosphere. This metropolis, where history meets modern life, will surely enchant you with its unique character. Come and experience the distinctive culture and artistic spirit of the city, filled with iconic places such as the Petřín Tower.