16 April, Prague – Prague City Tourism is marking 135 years of the Petřín Observation Tower and the Mirror Maze with a full programme of events throughout May and June. The main celebrations take place on Sunday 3 May, when anyone keen to take in the views can head up the tower at a special price of CZK 135, which includes entry to the maze. A quiz and an exhibition marbles tournament will also take place at the foot of the tower. “In May, it will be 135 years since the Czech Tourist Club’s exhibition pavilion, now the Mirror Maze, was built. We expect the anniversary to draw plenty of visitors to Petřín, where they can enjoy the atmosphere of two of Prague’s most popular landmarks,” says Tomáš Slabihoudek, councillor for culture and tourism. “We’ve focused the celebrations on May and June, with a range of workshops mainly for families with children. The highlight is 3 May, when a combined ticket for CZK 135 will cover both the tower and the Mirror Maze,” adds František Cipro, chair of Prague City Tourism’s board. A discounted family ticket will also be available for CZK 270. “A demonstration by members of the Czech Marble Association could also attract visitors to Petřín. Not everyone realises there’s a marbles playground in the park next to the Petřín Observation Tower, where this classic children’s game is kept alive. Visitors may be surprised to find it’s played competitively, and it might even spark a combative streak of their own,” says Adéla Dobrovolná, Prague City Tourism’s director of operations. Visitors can also take part in a quiz while they are there and hand in their answers at the Tourist Information Centre on Petřín. The first 135 participants will receive an illustrated map of Prague by writer Alena Ježková and illustrator Michaela Kukovičová. Prague City Tourism’s anniversary programme includes guided walks and workshops for families. For example, in the final two weeks of May, visitors can join the early-evening “Legends of Petřín” walk, which explores sites tied to mysterious stories and the former gallows that once stood here. They can also take part in a curator-led tour of the Mirror Maze or an evening walk combined with stargazing at the nearby observatory. June is geared mainly towards children. On 3 June, a creative workshop inside the tower will give them the chance to build their own observation tower from simple materials. A few days later, families can set off on an adventure in the Mirror Maze, where they follow illuminated clues inspired by the story of the scientist Jan Marek Marci and the mystery of the Voynich manuscript. Full details, including ongoing anniversary events and information on how to sign up, will be published on prague.eu/petrinskarozhledna as they are announced. A postcard commemorating the 135th anniversary will also be produced and will be available to purchase at the Tourist Information Centre on Petřín or in the Old Town Hall gift shop. The Petřín Observation Tower and Mirror Maze are among the most visited attractions managed by Prague City Tourism. Last year, the tower welcomed 447,652 visitors, while the maze attracted 271,474. Built in 1891 for the Czech Tourist Club to a design by architect Vratislav Pasovský, the tower was completed in record time and opened on 20 August that year. Its summit sits at almost the same elevation as that of its Parisian inspiration, the Eiffel Tower. For a full rundown of all events marking the 135th anniversary of the tower, visit prague.eu/petrinskarozhledna.
