Hunger Wall, Medieval defensive wall in Petrin Hill, Prague, Czech Republic
The Hunger Wall is a stone fortification that runs across Petrin Hill, linking the Ujezd, Strahov, and Hradčany districts. The structure featured walkways, arrow slits, and multiple towers designed to defend the city.
King Charles IV ordered construction of this fortification between 1360 and 1362 to defend Prague from western attacks. The wall formed part of his broader strategy to strengthen the city and its castle.
The wall took its name from local residents who found work during a famine and earned money to feed their families. The name remains a reminder of how construction provided crucial income for people facing hardship.
The wall can be explored on foot from several access points along the hillside. The best time to visit is in dry weather, as the steep terrain can be slippery at times.
The king himself regularly visited the construction site and changed into workers' clothes to help with the building for short periods. This personal involvement of such a powerful ruler was unusual for the time and was recorded by chroniclers.
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