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Prague was founded by Libuše, a pagan princess
A visionary woman named Libuše saw the future of the Czech capital. Like many old cities, the origins of Prague are a bit mysterious. A popular legend says the city was founded…
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Brno’s St James Ossuary is a spooky underground treasure
Skeletons of 50,000 people were lost under a town square in Moravia’s capital for centuries, There are often surprises when people start looking around a old basement or attic. In 2001, repairs…
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Cursed trios reside on the facades of three Prague houses
Building names hold clues to some gruesome tales about unfortunate trios of people. Older buildings in Prague are known not by their numbers but by distinctive names, and corresponding pictures are often…
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The ghost of a Templar knight gave up due to disrespect
A Templar knight on a fire-breathing horse went on strike when their church became a print shop. The former Church of St. Anne on Liliová Street in Prague’s Old Town used to…
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The fortuneteller of the Golden Lane
Madame de Thebes read cards at Prague Castle’s Golden Lane but fell afoul of the Gestapo. One of the big attractions of Prague Castle is the Golden Lane. Legends claim it was…
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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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Witches’ Night is fun for the family
One of the first nice days of spring is an excuse to roast sausages and burn a witch. Witches’ Night sounds a bit ominous, but in Bohemia and much of Central Europe,…
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The Infant of Prague doubles as a Santeria idol
An Afro-Spanish religion uses the Infant of Prague to represent one of its key figures. One statue, two religions. The Infant of Prague is of course a world-famous Roman Catholic icon, and…
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Magic Prague Tour shows a week of wonders
People can see esoteric treasures plus meet like-minded people. Prague, and much of Bohemia, is just filled with mystical and curious places. Finding them on your own and separating the fact from…
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Ema Destinnová, a diva who embraced divination
The singer Ema Destinnová, known for her patriotism, also dabbled in the occult and loved black. People in the Czech Republic know Ema Destinnová from her somewhat idealized portrait on the Kč…
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Meet Kabourek, Prague’s famous beer-loving water sprite
A friendly green vodník used to be a regular in pubs near Kampa Island. There is a particular type of Bohemian supernatural being called a vodník, or water sprite. They are related…
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The Devil’s Bible – a mysterious massive medieval manuscript
The largest existing medieval manuscript, the Devil’s Bible was written in one day, according to legend. One of the great and mysterious Gothic treasures from Bohemia unfortunately now resides in Sweden, though…
