The Strahov Monastery and Petřín
The Strahov Monastery, founded in the mid- 12th century, spreads out to the south of Hradčany. Frequently reconstructed throughout its history, its Baroque face is the most distinctive, but the Rudolphine Church of St. Roch, dating from the 17th century is also worthy of attention as well as the Romanesque walls of the monastery buildings. The above indicates the complexity of the building development of this district.
The spacious buildings today serve as part of the Monastery, The Museum of Czech Literature and the rich Strahov Gallery. The library, containing thousands of books and manuscripts, the oldest of which date from the 9th century, is especially noteworthy. The bookcases in the Theological and Philosophical Halls, built in Baroque style in the late 17th century, are original.
Petřín
The Strahov Monastery is connected to the Petřín Orchards, located on the remains of the original hunting grounds. In the 12th century, vineyards and gardens took over the grounds and today, a two - kilometre long walking path runs through Petřín, offering a view from the Petřín View Tower, a 60 m high copy of the Paris Eiffel Tower. In addition, there is a curious mirror Labyrinth, which, like Petřín, was made in celebration of the Jubille exhibitions in 1891.
There are also dozens of statues or groups of statues and a funicular railway that takes you to the top of Petřín Hill.
