Prague, CZECHIA – As the City of a Hundred Spires, Prague boasts a historical and imposing skyline that casts an impressive shadow over its 1.3 million residents and attracts tourists from across the world.
Many of these sky-piercing structures are towers that boast some form of significant historical or cultural significance to Czechia and her people.
During Youth Journalism International’s 2023 Global Conference in Prague, the bright students and mentors of YJI in attendance took it upon themselves to ascend these towers and see for themselves what Prague looked like from up on high.
The panoramic views acted as the lure and the many hundreds of steps between each tower was the challenge.
The age, height and significance of each tower varied greatly. On one of the warmest days of the conference, the travelers tackled Petřín Tower, at the top of Petřín Hill. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower and completed in 1891, the Petřín Tower was the youngest of the towers, but also the tallest.
After climbing the 299 steps (one supposes that 300 must have been too many) of the open-air spiralling staircase, a 360° panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside was taken in from atop the tower on the hill.
Petřín Tower, which originally served as a lookout and transmission tower, is clearly a popular tourist attraction now. At an altitude of 327m (1072 ft) it was easy to see why. The tower is not for the faint of heart, however, as you could feel the structure sway and shift in the wind at the summit. It was enough to briefly bring back this writer’s childhood vertigo!
Do not be dismayed if the windy climb proves too much for you however, as the top of Petřín Hill also offered other curiosities such as a Mirror Maze and a beautiful functioning relic of a carousel.
A must-see tower back down in the city that you must brace your leg muscles for is the Astronomical Tower. You will find it at the Clementinum, a large complex of historical buildings that began as the first Jesuit College all the way back in 1556.
The Clementinum is a wonder on its own, as the second biggest complex in Prague after Prague Castle.
It hosts the National Library of the Czech Republic, the biggest library in the country and a stellar display of Baroque architecture. But the Astronomical Tower – topped by a giant statue of the titan Atlas holding up the world – is the must-see.
While there are fewer stairs here than at Petřín Tower, they are significantly steeper and older. A guide will accompany you on the staggered climb, offering a rich backdrop of the Clementinum and its history as you may struggle to quiet your heavy breathing.
This history includes the astronomical significance, pun intended, of the tower where the longest unbroken chain of meteorological measurements in the world were taken daily, going all the way back to 1775. This is also where noon was once announced to the citizens of Prague by the daily waving of a giant flag.
With your stamina growing, also make sure to check out the famous gothic Powder Gate Tower, the unequalled views of the Old Town Hall Tower and its one of a kind Astronomical Clock and the Novomlýnská Water Tower, where a detailed history of Prague’s fight with neighborhood-wide fires can be found at the top of the humble tower.
Ultimately though, it is essential that you make time to appreciate the Old Town Bridge Tower, which sits as the gateway to the iconic Charles Bridge.
This tower, constructed before 1380, has stood steady for centuries as the world transformed around it, from taking damage in a siege by the Swedish to serving as an essential arch for newly coronated Czech kings to pass through.
The time you visit should also be taken into consideration as you are met with views from inside the heart of Prague and across the Vltava River.
For the wise and weary YJI students, who arguably saved the best for last, sunset on the last day of the conference was the perfect time to make the final ascent.
As the sun set on “Zlatá Praha” or Golden Prague, the sight lived up to the name.
YJI student and board member Regina López said she “couldn’t back down from the challenge” of climbing the last tower in Prague. Like peers, she powered through and succeeded, reaching that final goal and completing the challenge.
“We climbed it just in time to see the sunset, so I got to just lean back and watch how the sun hid behind the castle,” said López. “I’m not sure if it was my imagination, but there was a minute where everyone stayed quiet to admire the landscape.”
If the collective silence of 20 young and energetic journalists isn’t enough proof of the stunning experience, I am not quite sure what is.
For the history, for the exercise, for the personal challenge and for the spectacular views of one of Europe’s most stunning cities, YJI’s Prague Towers challenge comes highly recommended.
López added, “I’ll admit, it was a bit tiring to be climbing towers most days, but for those five minutes of the best views of Prague, I would keep climbing towers for the rest of my life.”
López isn’t finished climbing – or urging her fellow students to do so.
She will lead students from around the world starting this week at Youth Journalism International’s 2024 Global Conference in her native Mexico City.
The young journalists will take in Mexico’s art and culture, but their biggest challenge may well be topping the towers of Prague by ascending the steps of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán.
Owen Ferguson is an Associate Editor with Youth Journalism International. He wrote this piece.
Bilge Güven is a Senior Correspondent with Youth Journalism International from Türkiye who contributed two photos to this article.
Anjola Fashawe is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from London. She contributed a photo.
