This weekend (February 4-6) it will be possible to climb the seven main towers in Prague free of charge upon presentation of a school certificate.
The promotion applies not only to students but also to adults, states Prague City Tourism.
The following towers will be open for free admission:
The Old Town Bridge Tower is the gateway to the famous Charles Bridge from the east side of the Vltava. Completed before 1380 as part of the fortifications of the Charles Bridge, it is considered to be the most beautiful Gothic gate in Europe and the most impressive example of Gothic civil engineering style in the world.
The Lesser Town Bridge Tower, which stand on the opposite side of the river. Although the view from this location is entirely different, it is just as impressive. The tower was built after 1464 on the site of an earlier Romanesque structure and its design is based on the architecture of the Old Town Bridge Tower, however the originally planned sculpture decorations were never added.
St Nicholas Bell Tower: a picturesque view of the Lesser Town’s buildings and square is the reward for climbing 215 steps to the 65-metre high viewing gallery of the tower adjacent to the Baroque Church of St Nicholas. The bell tower from 1755, which also served as a fire watchtower, was the last town crier’s tower in Prague.
The tower of the Old Town Hall, which was originally the seat of the Old Town administration. The core of the complex consists of the oldest building built in Gothic style and with a richly decorated portal. A massive square tower with a height of 66 metres was added during the 14th century. The astronomical clock “Orloj” was installed in it at a later date and it is one of Prague’s most famous towers.
The Late Gothic Powder Gate Tower, which was completed in 1475. It was built as a part of the town’s fortifications and, at the same time, served as the monumental entrance to Old Town. This gateway was used by the coronation processions of Czech kings.
The six-storey Novomlýnská Water Tower, which was made accessible to the public only recently, has a rather unassuming appearance. The original structure, dating back to the mid-17th century, was located right on the Vltava River and supplied water to public fountains in the surrounding areas of the New Town. It is considered the first observation tower in Prague (despite its inaccessibility).
The 58,7-metre high Petřín Lookout Tower that stands on the top of Petřin Hill at an altitude of 327 metres. From the top the entire city is laid out before you. It was built in 1891 as a loose copy inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The observation tower is an octagonal steel structure with a lift shaft in the middle and a double spiral staircase with 299 steps.
