Hradiště is a modest but rewarding hill in the Mělník district, proving that you don't need great altitude to enjoy a great view. At just 314 metres above sea level, it's crowned by a wooden lookout tower shaped like a watchtower, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, including the distinctive silhouettes of Bezděz, Vrátenská hora, and Říp.
The hill itself is a volcanic formation, born from basalt (olivine nephelinite) that pushed through calcareous-clayey sandstone topped with loess. Most of its slopes are farmland, but the summit is covered by a small acacia grove hiding an old quarry pit and a water reservoir. The woodland offers welcome shade in summer, while clear autumn and spring days often bring the best visibility from the tower.
How to reach the summitArchaeologists have found traces of settlement here dating back to the Late Stone Age, and local legend even speaks of a Celtic settlement. The hill was fortified several times over the centuries, most recently under Charles IV, when it served as a defence against marauding robber knights.