Mysterious Czech Republic
Tales, legends and other such mysteries have been woven round a good many places in the Czech Republic. If you enjoy anything that smacks of the esoteric, be sure to visit some of these sites. The options are truly abundant.
It is said that in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue the Golem is hidden—a mighty being made of clay that was, according to legend, created by Rabbi Loew to protect the Jewish Town. Golem is inextricably linked to the mysterious atmosphere of old Prague (www.synagogue.cz). Vyšehrad is another storied place. The most famous legend is that of Princess Libuše who prophesied the future glory of Prague from her seat in Vyšehrad, while another legend tells of the mythical horse Šemík and its jump from the Vyšehrad rock. Mystery lovers should certainly not miss the Devil’s Column in Vyšehrad. Such is the name given to three columns standing in such a way as to resemble a pyramid. You will find them in Karlachovy sady. It is not known exactly what purpose they served, and, as legend has it, they were brought there by the devil (www.praha-vysehrad.cz). Strange things are said to have occurred at one time in the Faustus House at 40 Karlovo náměstí. This building is associated with the legend of Faustus. This charlatan and master of dark arts sold his soul to the devil, who took him to hell from this very house. The hole that was created in the ceiling for a long time could not be sealed off in any way. Today, the building houses a pharmacy (www.faustuvdum.cz).
A number of Prague sights are connected with legends. The most interesting legends and ghosts of old Prague await you in the museum Mysteriae Pragensis (www.ghostmuseum.cz). Thematic walks devoted to mystery and ghosts are offered, for example, by the Prague Information Service (www.prague-info.cz), while others can be found at http://sightseeingexpert.com/cz/ghost.
Another UNESCO town, Český Krumlov, is also cloaked in legends. These are connected to the houses, churches, as well as the chateau. In the 15th century, Lady Perchta von Rosenberg, called the White Lady, lived in the castle. Her ghost walks about the Rosenberg castles and chateaus and appears at moments when important events are to take place (www.castle.ckrumlov.cz). According to another legend, there is a treasure hidden on the island in the chateau’s garden lake that is guarded by fairies and dwarfs. In the building on Náměstí Svornosti that now houses the info centre, the innkeeper’s ghost appears from time to time.
You will learn more about the legends of Český Krumlov during tours devoted especially to them (such as the Krumlov Mystery Tour www.krumlovexperience.com or Myths and Legends www.magickykrumlov.cz). For information on the city, visit www.ckrumlov.info.
When in Litomyšl, head to the castle. There, a painting on the level of the second floor seen from the second courtyard remains a puzzle to this day. It shows a man above whose head five G’s are painted. The legend asserts that the person who guesses their meaning also will guess the place where a treasure is hidden. No visitor has yet solved this baffling riddle (www.zamek-litomysl.cz).
The guide will show you the painting with the five Gs during the castle tour. Of course, mysteries are far from the only reason to come here. The castle’s entire premises are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In a questionnaire of CzechTourism agency’s tourist server www.kudyznudy.cz/en/index.html, Houska Castle won as the most mysterious, most mythical and most legendary place in the Czech Republic. According to legend, the castle is built on a rock in which there was a passageway leading to hell. Another legend has it that at Houska a figure appears in a black monk’s hood and watches over those so foolhardy as would perhaps chance to visit the castle at night. Yet another mystery relates to photography. It is said that photos from Houska never come out well. And the mystery of Houska Castle found in the Kokořín area certainly does not end there (www.hradhouska.cz and www.hrad-houska.cz).
The protected landscape area of Pálava ranks among the most attractive places in South Moravia. Awaiting you here are beautiful limestone rocks, picturesque meadows and woods, castle ruins… and a great many tales. For example, the Cat Rock (“Kočičí skála”, between Mikulov and Klentnice) is said to hide treasures guarded by dwarfs and fairies. Mystery lovers should head here on Easter Sunday, as, according to the legend, the rock opens then.
The town of Mikulov is one of the starting points for trips to Pálava. An exhibition entitled “Mysterious Dungeons” (“Tajemné sklepení”) will be held in the cellar vault of the Mikulov chateau. Here you will see characters from Pálava and Mikulov legends, all of them life-size. You also will learn more about the mysteries of the ruins of the Děvičky (“Maiden”) and Sirotčí (“Orphan’s”) castles, about water sprites and witches, and more. The exhibition will open in May or June (to be confirmed) and will run until September (http://www.mikulov.cz/en/).
Into a labyrinth of corridors
When travelling around the mysterious Czech Republic, be sure also to visit the south Moravian town Znojmo. The local underground network is a labyrinth of interconnected underground corridors with a total length of 27 kilometres. The guided tour is given in a mix of fairy-tale and even horror style. You can observe fairy-tale characters, an alchemist’s workshop, rocks brought to life and prison dungeons (www.znojmocity.cz).
While the village of Holašovice is indeed entered in the UNESCO World Heritage List, that is not the only reason to come here. About 400 metres south from the village, you will find a circle formed from huge stones referred to as South Bohemian Stonehenge. It is a reproduction of a megalithic prehistoric structureand was constructed here in 2008. Very strong positive energy is attributed to this place. The structure, comprising a total of 26 stones, is located on private premises but is freely accessible (www.holasovice.eu and www.jihobrik.cz).
In the footsteps of the knights
The Velký Blaník Mountain (not far from Vlašim) also is teeming with legends. The best known legend is that of the mythical Blaník knights who rest inside the mountain. When the Czech nation comes to its worst moment, the knights will ride out of the mountain to help.
The picturesque region around Blaník is a popular destination for trips. You can even tour the region by bicycle on the bike trail aptly named “In the Footsteps of the Blaník Knights” (www.blanicti-rytiri.cz).
Jeseník and the Rakovník area
In the forest in the Rakovník area, you will see long, parallel lines measuring hundreds of metres comprised of stones of various sizes. It has not yet been clarified to what purpose these Kounov stone rows (Kounovské kamenné řady) served. A nature trail will guide you through this area (www.rakovnicko.info, visit the “Džbán” page). Another site, Peter’s stones (Petrovy kameny) in Hrubý Jeseník, was marked during the witch trials in the 17th century as the setting of witch gatherings.
Eva Tajanovská, Czech Tourism Authority – CzechTourism
2010-02-1
