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The Apocalypse was supposed to unfold in Prague’s New Town
Emperor Charles IV believed the world would end in his lifetime. If you lived in medieval times, Doomsday was always just around the corner. Emperor Charles IV was not only a firm believer…
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The Rudolfine Tunnel, a technical marvel from a strange time
A 400-year-old engineering feat runs beneath Prague’s Letná district. Emperor Rudolf II is mostly remembered for his pursuit of esoteric arts like alchemy and astrology, or his vast collections of curiosities including…
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Our map uncovers secrets of The Tarot of Prague
The Tarot of Prague, Baba Studio's first deck, has caught on with tourists. They have gone looking to uncover the deck's secrets by seeking the places used to create the images.
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Guardian of the Flooded Village named Tree of the Year
A devil sat beneath the tree to play his eerie violin at night before the village was covered by dam water Legends surround a 350-year-old Scots pine called the Guardian of the…
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Morana, the Czech goddess of winter and death
Traces of the Slavic deity can still be found in Prague. Each of the seasons in Slavic folklore is overseen by a god or goddess, though the names and attributes vary greatly…
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A mermaid found love at a long-vanished Prague pond
A village stood outside the Old Town walls, and its pond was home to a sad but beautiful mermaid. The Czech word for a little pond is Rybníček, and in pagan times…
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Ruprecht the Trumpeter: A headless ghost haunts the Senate
One of Prague’s finest palaces is home to a headless ghost who missed an important command. Some people like to sleep in late, especially after a night of partying. And isn’t it…
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A merchant’s obese ghost begs at the Wallenstein Pub
A beggar had the last word when the entrepreneur wouldn’t share his leftovers. Back when times were tough, obesity used to be quite rare, and an obese ghost even more so. Only…
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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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Whipping away infertility at Easter with a pomlázka
A traditional practice involves braided willow branches called a pomlázka and plum brandy. Easter in Europe has always been tied up with spring rituals related to fertility and birth. Bunnies are among…
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Two monastery ghosts haunt the grounds of Emauzy
Long-dead monks wander the grounds of Emauzy, one a hero and the other a villain. The monastery at Emauzy looks pleasant enough from a distance, with its modern concrete wings added in…
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Ghost riders patrol Prague’s New Town at night
Three ghost riders haunt the same area near the start of the Royal Route. The area around the square called náměstí Republiky marks the start of the old Royal Route that leads…
