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The mysterious White Lady of the Záběhlice Chateau
A ghost called a white lady at what was a rural castle near a vineyard never revealed her secrets. Parts of what is now Prague used to be villages separated by dusty…
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Prague’s cemetery row: history captured in a sculpture garden
The city’s gardens of stone offer a retreat from the overly touristed center. Visitors to Prague can be quickly overwhelmed by how crowded the main tourist attractions are. But the city’s cemetery…
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Two headless horsemen haunt the route to Prague Castle
A Swedish soldier and a gambling monk both ride at night but are mostly harmless. Some parts of Prague are just overrun with ghosts. The streets leading up to Prague Castle have…
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Edward Kelley and his Bohemian adventures
British alchemist Edward Kelley went from highs to lows to a premature death in the Rudolfine era. When it comes to alchemists in Bohemia working under Rudolf II, two names stand out:…
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The Devil’s Column is due to a diabolical bet
Some see a broken stone pillar as evidence that a demon named Zardan visited Prague. The history of Vyšehrad goes back to the very foundation of Prague, and the walled fortress-like area…
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Absinth Makes the Art Grow Fonder
“Thy fumes are sharp, dire as Medusa’s tears,In thy green depths a tempting demon leers,Leading the victim on without alarm.”Francis Saltus Saltus Is there any substance as synonymous with the Bohemian Gothic…
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The Spirit of Dušičky
Ten months ago, when my partner and I first moved to Prague, we accidentally decorated our home with cemetery candles meant for Dušičky. Despite our Gothic predilections, it was never our intent…
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The Bohemian Connection
Bohemian /bəʊˈhiːmɪən/ (n.) 1. A native or inhabitant of Bohemia. 2. A socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts. [ mid 19th century: from French bohémien ‘Gypsy’ (because…
