Petřínské bludiště, House of mirrors in Malá Strana, Czech Republic
Petřínské bludiště is a house of mirrors housed in a Gothic-style structure with nine spires on Petřín Hill, containing 45 reflective surfaces in total. The building combines regular mirrors with distorting surfaces that guide visitors through winding passages.
The pavilion was originally designed for the Prague Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 by architect Antonín Wiehl. After the exhibition ended, the structure relocated from the Industrial Palace to Petřín Hill in 1892, becoming a permanent feature of the landscape.
The interior features a large-scale painting by Adolf and Karel Liebscher showing the defense of Charles Bridge against Swedish forces. This mural becomes a focal point as visitors navigate through the mirrored halls.
Wear comfortable shoes since the paths through the maze are uneven with multiple tight turns. The location tends to get crowded during pleasant weather, so visiting early in the morning is often more enjoyable.
The names of the original construction workers remain engraved on the weather vanes atop the roof since the building was first erected. This is a rare and often overlooked tribute to the workers involved in this unusual project.
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