In Prague, you can often hear that Petřín is a hill with the best places to kiss. In fact, there are many more reasons to climb this green hill above the left bank of the Vltava: mysticism, romance, history, nature, legends, architecture, restaurants, entertainment, and even its own "Eiffel Tower" – Prague's "alternative" to the famous Paris Tower.

Over the centuries, the park on the hill has changed many names. It was just a mountain, a Peak, a hill of St. Lawrence (the Church dedicated to this Saint is located here, on one of the terraces). The modern name Petřín comes from the Greek word "Petros", which means "stone" (because of the rocky structure of the place).

In pre-Christian times, people came to the hill to worship Perun. In the Middle Ages, stone for construction was quarried on the hill. Today, there is an urban forest, park, and garden: lovers have a tradition to arrange romantic walks under flowering trees. But, in addition to the hidden corners, there are many interesting things: the observatory, the Mirror Maze, the ethnographic museum in the Kinský Summer Palace, beautiful pink alleys that bloom until late autumn and a unique structure built by King Charles IV to strengthen the approaches to Prague Castle, the Hungry wall.

327 meters high hill is surrounded by the historical districts of Prague. You can get to it from the royal Hradčany, from the creative Malá Strana, and from the proletarian Smíchov.

A popular way to climb the mountain is by funicular. The 510 m cable car is the oldest in the Czech Republic. Of course, this method of conquering the hill is the laziest, but it immediately allows you to evaluate both the views and your physical capabilities for future walks.

And you will definitely want to return! From the street below, along the paved paths, through the old monastery orchards, where Apple trees bloom fabulously in spring. Or from above, from the side of the Strahov monastery, along a serpentine of spacious paths. Or from the southern slopes-through the picturesque gardens of the Kinský estate. And going down from the hill to the Karmelitská street, you can look at one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens in Prague, the Vrtba Garden.

Amazing views of the Right Bank of the Vltava River is the main gift that Petřín presents. The higher you go, the more spectacular the view becomes! 

The hill is pierced by 18 underground mines, known since the Middle Ages. Today, access to them is closed to the public. But still, the secret "grottoes" are here: in the "Magic cave" created by the artist for an exhibition of works in the fantasy style.

As you can see, the calm and multifaceted Petřín are not only for lovers and for kisses. Although, let's put it another way: this is a place for all lovers in Prague.