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In search of the Green Man in Prague
Mysterious leaf-covered Green Man faces adorn several Prague landmarks The Green Man, a face either completely made of or covered in foliage, can be found on buildings across Europe. Prague has several…
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Warning! Don’t rob a grave in a Prague church
A grave-robbing Swedish soldier met with a grim fate in the Thirty Years’ War. The failed attempt of the Swedish army to conquer Prague at the end of the Thirty Years’ War…
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Ghostly goats wander in the Golden City
Among the more curious supernatural apparitions in Prague are some stubborn ghostly goats. Prague at night is a virtual menagerie of spectral animals. There are the mundane yet otherworldly dogs and cats, and the…
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Krampus, Santa’s evil friend stows bad kids in a sack
A demonic figure with pagan roots called Krampus puts bad kids in a sack. Christmas traditions vary across regions in Europe. Not entirely surprisingly, the residents of Central Europe tend to go…
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Tales and meanings of the Prague Astronomical Clock
The Astronomical Clock, a popular tourist attraction, has been restored to its pre-war condition The Astronomical Clock at Prague’s Old Town Square has been rebuilt, returning its inner clockwork to the weights…
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The tragedy of the House at Death
A May – December romance went horribly wrong in the House at Death in Prague’s Old Town. Prague’s street Dlouhá třída, now lined with touristy bars and expensive shops, was once where…
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Alchemy reigns at the House at the Stone Lamb
The elaborate stone portal is filled with messages of duality and transformation. On Old Town Square, there is a house with a plaque saying Albert Einstein used to stop by there. But…
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The mad barber of Karlova Street
The lure of free gold led a barber down the path to ruin. Sometimes having a decent profession isn’t enough. A barber during the time of Emperor Rudolf II was growing bored…
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The curious legend of the green frog who ate a tailor
The image of an amphibian above a door is a reminder of a comical tale. Not all of Prague’s legends are scary ones. Some are more like extended jokes. The tale of…
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The House at the Two Golden Bears joins Heaven and Earth
One of the most elaborate portals in Prague leads to a long-closed tunnel complex. Most old European cities have a network of underground tunnels, often now walled up and forgotten. They were…
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Built with the Devil’s help, Part II: Kinský Palace
Kinský Palace may have some dark secrets buried in its foundation. Making a large building or a bridge requires a lot of complex math and engineering. But back in the Middle Ages…
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A hooker and an angry Priest haunt Celetná Street
A truly odd couple roams Celetná Street near Old Town Square at night, oblivious to anyone else. Ladies of the night have always flocked to busy market areas and touristy spots, at…
