From the Belvedere we descend the Hradcany Hill, and passing through the Chotek Park reach the Bruska Street and the suspension bridge. Crossing this bridge, we reach the old town and the Rudolphinum, and soon find our way back to the powder tower. CHAPTER VIII _Walks and Excursions near Prague_ To those visitors to Prague who have acquired some interest in the history of the country no excursion will appeal more than that to the White Mountain, 'the Chacronaea of Bohemia,' as it has been aptly called. Leaving the Malá Strana by the now-demolished Strahov gate (near the monastery of that name), we soon reach the White Mountain. Factories built in modern times have considerably altered the aspect of the ground. The plateau, which the Bohemian army occupied on the evening of November 7, 1620, and where earthworks were hastily thrown up, and the battle-field of the following day can, however, still be clearly distinguished. The Bohemian lines extended from the village of Repy to the 'Star' Park and the village of Liboc. The last and fiercest lighting took place immediately outside the park. Dr. Krebs[54] writes: 'The south-eastern angle of the "Star" Park became the grave of the national independence of Bohemia. Every Bohemian who passes this spot should remember, "It is holy ground on which I tread."' The Star Park is now a favourite summer resort of the citizens of Prague, who, perhaps wisely, appear to be intent rather on present pleasure than on gloomy memories of the past. 'Little they think of those stout limbs That moulder deep below.' After the battle the Bohemian troops that still occupied the Royal hunting lodge at the 'Star' capitulated, and the victorious Duke of Bavaria spent there the night that followed the battle. Somewhat to the south of the 'Star' is the Church of St. Mary, built in 1706 in commemoration of the great defeat of the Bohemians. It is said that when the Emperor Joseph II. visited this church he expressed his displeasure, and he is said to have characteristically remarked 'that he wished to reign over men, not over brutes,[55] who celebrated their own defeat.' It must be added that the pilgrimages to this church on November 8 have now entirely ceased. From the village of Liboc the traveller can by rail reach in half an hour the romantic valley of the Sarka. Of the many walks in the immediate neighbourhood of Prague we may mention that to the Petrin Hill, which has already been referred to. An outlook tower has recently been built here. Favourite summer resorts of the citizens of Prague are the Crown Prince Rudolph Park and the adjoining Belvedere Gardens, and the Stromovka or Baumgarten.