Mirror Maze

The Mirror Maze in Prague, located on Petřín Hill, is one of the city’s most curious and beloved attractions. This maze is not only entertainment for families and tourists, but also a fascinating piece of late 19th-century history and architecture. Built in 1891 as an exhibition pavilion for the Czech Tourist Club during the Prague Jubilee Exhibition, the Mirror Maze was designed by architect Antonín Wiehl and built by carpenter Matěj Bílek. Originally located near the Industrial Palace, the pavilion was moved two years later to its current location near Petřín Tower. The building of the Mirror Maze pays homage to neo-Gothic architecture and is inspired by the Vyšehrad Gate, a Gothic structure built in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV. The facade of the maze, with its nine spires, evokes medieval aesthetics, giving the site an almost fairytale-like appearance that attracts visitors of all ages. This Gothic theme is further enriched by the contrast between the ancient exterior and the modern and playful interior.Inside the Mirror Maze, visitors are greeted by a series of normal and distorted mirrors that create fun and often disorienting optical illusions. With 31 normal mirrors and 14 distorted mirrors, the maze offers a unique and engaging experience. The mirrors are arranged to create a winding path, where each turn reveals new perspectives and unexpected reflections. This combination of normal and distorted mirrors was inspired by the famous mirror maze in Vienna’s Prater, highlighting the European influence in the architecture and design of Prague’s Mirror Maze.In addition to the maze, another significant attraction inside the building is the historical diorama depicting the battle between the citizens of Prague and Swedish soldiers on Charles Bridge in 1648, during the Thirty Years’ War. This 80-square-meter panoramic painting was created by the Liebscher brothers, with the assistance of Vojtěch Bartoněk and Karel Štapfer. The diorama is notable not only for its size, but also for its complexity and ability to transport visitors back in time, offering a detailed view of Prague’s history. The defense of the Old Town Bridge Tower, led by Jesuit Jiří Plachý, is the focal point of this epic painting, representing a crucial moment in the city’s history.Another much-loved part of the Mirror Maze is the “laughing room,” opened in 1911. This room is filled with distorted mirrors that alter the appearance of visitors in bizarre and amusing ways, turning them into elongated, flattened, or contorted figures. This room is particularly popular among children, but adults also find it hard to resist the laughter generated by their refracted images.Visiting the Mirror Maze is an experience that combines history, art, and fun. It is a perfect example of how architecture and design can be used to create interactive spaces that educate and entertain at the same time. The fact that the maze was initially built as part of an exhibition underscores the importance of cultural outreach and tourism promotion in Bohemia at the end of the 19th century.