Location: On Petrova výšina (Peter's Height) west of the centre of Karlovy Vary
Elevation: 489 metres above sea level
Period of construction: 19^th century
Official opening: 19^th century
Accessibility: Freely accessible

How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the lookout if you start from the Hot Spring in the centre of Karlovy Vary and walk up the forest paths and the stone stairs leading along the Chamois statute.

Route 2:        An easier alternative is to take the Diana funicular from Grandhotel Pupp to the Jelení skok (Deer Jump) intermediate station and follow the comfortable path that leads along the Myslivna (Gamekeeper's Lodge) Sanatorium to Peter's Height.

History of the structure

On 11 November 1712, Russian Tsar Peter the Great made a bet and rode up to the top of the hill on a horse without a saddle during his second visit to the spa.

Since no path lead to the top of the hill back then, the tsar showed tremendous riding skills as he rode up from the Hot Spring through the steep rocky terrain. It is said that in evidence of his victory, the tsar carved his initials into a wooden cross that used to stand on the site.

Soon after, the top of the rock, which had become known as Petrova výšina (Peter's Height), was remodelled into a lookout and made accessible to the spa guests and excursionists. In 1877, the bust of Peter the Great was installed on a rock below the lookout. The stone lookout gallery underwent an extensive reconstruction in 2011.