Mystical stories of Prague. Excursion mystical Prague

Many people know that Prague is called the mystical capital not only of the Czech Republic, but of the whole of Europe.

Gustav Meyrink, a writer and financier (who was rumored to have used forbidden occult techniques in the fight against competitors), gives his definition of the uniqueness of Prague: “Other cities, no matter how ancient they may be, seem to me to be slaves of those who live in them; they seem disinfected with some strong sterilizing acid - Prague controls its inhabitants like puppets: pulling their strings from their first to their last breath."

But why did the city achieve such fame?

Let's create an excursion route to answer this question.

1. Attraction: Clock tower in the central square of Prague

The 15th century astronomical clock is located in the Clock Tower in the central square of Prague. The dial shows not only the time, but also the zodiac sign, sunrise and sunset, both sun and moon, calendar and lunar phase. Every hour the skeleton rings a bell by pulling a rope. They say that the only one who knew how the clock worked was its creator. According to legend, the advisors, fearing that similar clocks would be created in other cities and Prague would no longer be their sole owner, attacked the master and blinded him. Despite his blindness, he lived to a ripe old age, and at the end of his life he took revenge on the city that thanked him so much for creating the unique watch. One day he walked up to the clock, put his hand on the mechanism, and the gears began to move many times faster, and then stopped. The clock did not work for more than 100 years until a craftsman was found who could repair it.

2. Attraction: Old New Synagogue

Rabbi Levi - one of the most brilliant thinkers of his time, is known in history as a magician and wizard. He led the Jewish community in Prague for more than 30 years. His temple, called the Old New Synagogue, is not only the oldest operating in Europe, but also the most mysterious. The oldest synagogue in Europe was built in medieval times. A fire in 1687 reduced most of it to smoldering ruins. Rabbi Levi was not only a spiritual director, but also a master of the Jewish mystical teaching known as Kabbalah. Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish spiritual teaching, according to which those who comprehend it acquire magical power. In a word, according to legend, Rabbi Levi comprehended Kabbalah and learned the mysterious formula for creating an artificial person, who received the name Golem. According to the Jewish theory of mysticism, imitation of the acts of God is not a forbidden form of magic. According to legend, Rabbi Levi went down to the river with his student and son-in-law, where he sculpted a figure of a man from clay, performed a mysterious ritual, wrote a word in Hebrew on his forehead, which translated means “Truth” - after which the Golem came to life.

3. Attraction: Golem

The Golem was created to protect the Jewish community from anti-Semitism. But one day the Golem refused to obey its creator and tried to destroy the old synagogue, so Rabbi Levi had to destroy it. He erased the first of the letters written on his forehead, after which he got the word meaning “to die” - this is what killed him. Rabbi Levi collected the ashes of the Golem and buried them in the attic of the Old New Synagogue and walled up the door there. Prague's biggest secret remains unsolved - whether the ashes remained in the attic of the synagogue or were moved, and whether they were there at all. The legend of the Golem still lives on, connecting the past, present and future. The legendary Golem was destroyed in the 15th century. But the Czech legend has influenced literature, cinema, art, music and even science. (Book and film - Frankenstein, science - cloning, creation of robots, computer characters).

4. Landmark: House of Faust

The mysterious House of Faust is located in Prague. According to legend, the German scientist and warlock Johann Faust lived here. Using devilish power, the doctor studied astrology and had intentions of deciphering the secret of the movement of the planets. The decrepit, blind scientist, during his meditations, suddenly felt that the secrets of the Universe had finally been revealed to him. At the same moment, the ceiling vault parted, and a mad whirlwind carried away the unfortunate Faust to fulfill the terms of the agreement with Mephistopheles. Since then, the townspeople considered the house a haven of evil spirits and tried to avoid it.

Later, the most famous version of the legend of Doctor Faustus was reflected in one of the most striking works of the outstanding German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe.

5. Landmark: Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is one of the most popular and famous landmarks of Prague. It has an amazing history and legend of its creation: they say that in order to be able to build this beautiful bridge, the architect had to make a deal with the devil. The Charles Bridge, built by master Peter Parler on the instructions of King Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty, connects not only Lesser Town with the Old Town - this bridge seems to have been thrown across centuries. During the era of the Crusades, the most important strategic crossing on the route that was supposed to end in Jerusalem was located here. There is evidence that the Charles Bridge was built in accordance with astrological and numerological prescriptions. Its sculpture gallery preserves the memory of sacred milestones of Czech history. According to legend, the place where the famous Prague knight stands was marked in ancient times by a pagan temple, and the idol, overthrown from here, still lies at the bottom of the river. The island of Kampa, covered by a bridge, is separated from Mala Strana by a channel called Certovka. This name did not arise by chance - mills have stood here since ancient times (and millers, as you know, are known with evil spirits). One of the houses remained in Prague history under the name “At the Seven Devils”.

6. Landmark: statue of Bishop John of Nepomuk

It is believed that the spirit of holiness is also present on the Charles Bridge. Between the sixth and seventh bays there is a statue of the holy bishop John of Nepomuk (Nepomuk). From this very place in 1393 the Prague archbishop was thrown into the river. Tradition says that King Wenceslas IV doomed him to death for refusing to reveal the queen's secret confession. Today, generally speaking, not very religious Czechs come to the statue to entrust their deepest secrets to Jan Nepomuk and make wishes (which they believe will be granted).

7. Attraction: Vysehrad

Some of the first events in Czech history are associated with Visegrad. Princess-prophetess Libuše, the founder of the Visegrad fortress on a rock above the Vltava, ordered the hero Přemysl to be brought to her straight from the plow to make him her husband. From their marriage came the dynasty of Czech kings. After Libuse's death, her friends tried to defend the matriarchal order in the famous War of the Maidens, but were defeated.

It is believed that Libuše did not lay down the burden of caring for her people even after her death. Her messenger - a headless knight - appears under the walls of Visegrad. He is tasked with finding out what life is like for Czechs in the Czech lands and reporting this to his mistress. (Popular belief in its poetic vision does not consider the absence of a head to be an obstacle to this task). If Libuše receives news that the Czechs need her help, she can stand up for her people. They say that under the cliff on which the Visegrad Castle was built, the knights of Libuše have been sleeping for more than a thousand years, ready to awaken at the word of their mistress. Legend tells that Libuše, accompanied by young maidens, often went to the bathhouse under the walls of Vyšehrad. It is believed that when twilight falls on Prague, beauties from the last millennium appear in the place where they served their mistress, and a late traveler can hear their enchanting singing.

8. Attraction: Prague Castle

The gloomy spirits of pagan times swirl, gathering near the City. They come from that era when the ancient gods of the Slavs desperately resisted the advent of a new faith. The founder of the City, Prince Borzhivoy (850-895), together with his wife Lyudmila, was converted to Christianity by the creator of the Slavic alphabet, Methodius. Borzhivoj had a son, Vratislav. He himself was a good Christian, but his wife Dragomira, although she was baptized, followed pagan customs. After the death of Vratislav, Dragomira became the ruler-regent under her young son Vaclav. A pagan not only by faith, but also by character, Dragomira was distinguished by her irrepressible disposition. Surrounding herself with like-minded people, she tried to turn back the history of the Czech Republic, reviving pre-Christian orders. Lyudmila tried to ensure that Dragomira was removed from board affairs. But the treacherous princess took cruel revenge on her mother-in-law. The assassins they sent broke into Lyudmila while she was praying and strangled her. This happened in 927. Folk legend tells of the terrible end of Dragomira. One day she left Prague Castle to make a sacrifice to pagan deities. Along the way, Dragomira shouted curses at Christianity. Her blasphemies did not go unpunished - suddenly the earth opened up, sulfur flames blazed from the chasm, and the chariot with the princess was swallowed up by the hellish abyss. Prague residents know that Dragomira can appear in our time on a carriage engulfed in hellish fire without a coachman. On dark and stormy nights, amid the reflections of lightning and the howling of the wind, hellish horses carry her through the streets of Hradcan. Another legend says that the soul of the princess, who has not received repose, appears once a year in the form of a fiery dog at the Church of St. Mikulasha.

9. Attraction: Museum of Ghosts and Legends of Prague

The museum does not set itself the goal of scaring tourists; on the contrary, it introduces the history and legends of the capital of the Czech Republic.

On the ground floor, guests are greeted by a book of legends, which is guarded by the spirit of Prague. Here, in different languages of the world, you can learn the stories of ghosts, as well as the places where they appear.

In the underground part of the museum there are streets of the Old City with ghosts and ghosts. Here guests will meet: a Golem, a devil, a headless Templar, gnomes and many other heroes of traditions and legends.

The Museum of Ghosts and Legends hosts "scare nights" where the museum's inhabitants frighten visitors.

10. Ghosts on the streets of the city

- Headless Templar

For many years, among Prague residents there has been a rumor about a handsome Templar knight, doomed to eternal night wanderings through the mysterious labyrinth of the ancient streets of the Old Town. The graceful white horse, without which the knight was never seen, gives the knight a special romanticism. The Templar holds his noble head in his hands and begs passers-by to free his soul. However, giving him freedom is not easy. What will save him from his mortal ghostly existence is not just strength, but also courage. It is necessary to stop the snow-white horse, grab the sword and mercilessly thrust it into the very heart of the Templar. An eerie headless Templar wanders between midnight and one in the morning along Liliova Street - picturesque but frightening.

- Murdered Nun

At night, a ghost known as the ghost of the murdered nun haunts the Jewish Quarter around the Convent of St. Agnes. However, according to legend, the murdered girl never became a nun. The sight is quite sad: a bloodied girl walks and sobs. However, if your heart is lonely and broken, then she will feel it and smile at you with a caring, understanding smile. Legend says that this girl is the daughter of rich and very noble parents. She had the misfortune of falling in love with a poor noble knight. Upon learning of this, her father became angry. Of course, there was no question of a wedding because the knight was a man belonging to the lower class. Wanting to punish his daughter for disobedience, the father promised to send her to the monastery of St. Agnes. On the last night before leaving, the unfortunate future nun wanted to see her lover... However, her father became aware of this. And he not only prevented the meeting, he angrily attacked his own daughter and mercilessly stabbed her to death. They say that one day this ghost stopped a girl who was about to poison herself because she could not live happily with her lover. The ghost took the poison away from the girl, after which he placed a bag of money in the unfortunate woman’s hands instead, advising the girl to live calmly, happily and richly with her lover, without thinking about anything bad and without remembering the misfortunes she had experienced.

- The Miller's Daughter

This ghost is also a young girl, but she is not very generous. According to legend, the girl was the daughter of the richest miller in Novaya Strana, one of the districts of Prague. She was quite spoiled and always got what she wanted. But, as usually happens, she wanted even more. The cherished desire of the miller's daughter was high society. She always wanted to be a part of it. However, none of the upper class young men asked her to marry, and she almost despaired. But having learned about the ball of noble persons taking place in the Liechtenstein Palace, she again remembered her dream and wished to receive an invitation there. The unfortunate caring father used all possible means and connections to get this invitation for his beloved daughter, but everything was useless. Nobody wanted to see a simpleton at the ball. But the persistent girl did not stop. She made a fatal mistake - she made a deal with the devil! The devil himself brought her to the ball at the palace. Imagine her disappointment when absolutely none of the guests present paid the slightest attention to her! Noble ladies did not talk to the miller's daughter, and stately gentlemen did not ask her to dance. The vain girl was so upset and outraged that she became hysterical and screamed at the whole room until she was forcibly taken home to her father. Since then, she lived calmly and did not strive for high society, remembering her shame and, most importantly, the deal. She also died quietly and calmly, a natural death. However, because of the bloody deal, the unfortunate woman was obliged to return to the ill-fated Liechtenstein Palace. But already a ghost. The ghost she made turned out to be quite disgusting. It’s as if she’s taking revenge on the whole world: she knocks down older people, chases young boys, shouting and persuading them to dance, and even rushes at beautiful young girls, scratching their faces, biting them until not a trace of beauty remains.

The miller's daughter can be found in the Liechtenstein Palace on the embankment near Charles Bridge. Street U Sovových mlýnů 506/4. However, it is hardly worth looking for a meeting with her: this is one of the most dangerous ghosts!

- Fat merchant

This ghost is very friendly. During his life, he was not interested in money, gold, or jewelry. His only goal was food! It would be difficult to find a greater glutton in the entire Czech Republic. He had the biggest belly in the country! He ate his fill even when others were starving to death. One evening the fat man came to his favorite pub, Valdstejnska, located near the modern Senate building. The merchant immediately ate a whole huge turkey with several side dishes, ate two roasted geese and washed down all this gluttony with twenty bottles of wine. It seemed that the fat man had eaten his fill, but was still sitting in the pub. At this time a beggar came there. Seeing the merchant have a piece of bread left over from a hearty lunch, the beggar asked to give it to him. But the fat merchant only laughed in the beggar’s face. Of course, the gluttonous merchant did not share his food with the poor man. He got angry and wished the impudent glutton to burst! And so it happened: the merchant burst, sparing the remaining piece of bread for the beggar. However, even after death he is punished. He wanders somewhere around the New Country, constantly sad and self-pitying. His soul can only be freed if the homeless man takes pity on him. But so far not a single beggar has shed a tear or offered the fat man a piece of bread.

The fat merchant can be found at night in New Country on Tomasska street 20/16.

- Iron Man

The ghost of Iron Man is so popular in Prague that they even erected a monument to him in the Old Town. His name is Joachim Berka. They say that this unfortunate man has been yearning for freedom for about four hundred years, even more. Once upon a time he was engaged to his beloved. They were already planning a happy wedding, but war broke out in the country and Joachim had to leave his beloved and defend his native Czech Republic. During his absence, rumors spread around the city that Joachim's fiancee had not remained faithful. He found out about this when he returned from the war. At first Joachim was very upset, but then he married another good girl who lived next door. However, the rumors turned out to be slander, and the former bride drowned herself in grief. Her father felt incredibly disgraced, so he also committed suicide, but in a different way: he jumped from a high tower. Joachim Berka, of course, soon found out about everything, and his conscience began to torment him endlessly. He realized that he was mistaken. He decided to atone for his mistake quite radically: on Good Friday, the young man strangled his wife, after which he hanged himself. As you can see, according to legend, he did not die a natural death, so there is nothing surprising in his spiritual lack of freedom. The ghost still haunts Platnerska Street.

- Skeleton Beggar

The Prague ghost of a skeletal beggar wanders after sunset every day in the neighborhood near Carolinum (part of Charles University). If passers-by are sober, he won’t even approach them. But from those who are “tipsy,” he constantly begs for money. The Skeleton's story is quite sad. During his lifetime he was an unusually tall and handsome young man. His name was Vincent, and he worked at the Faculty of Medicine, which used to be called Carolinum. The anatomy professor always admired the young man’s amazing growth, and even honestly told Vincent that he dreamed of seeing his skeleton in his collection. The young man had a job, but was still very poor, so he invited the old professor right then, while Vincent was still alive, to buy his skeleton. The professor was delighted and agreed, giving the young man a considerable amount of money. To celebrate, the young man spent every last crown on alcohol and gambling. That same evening, during a fight in a bar, he was killed by drunken drinking buddies. Since then, the skeleton beggar has been wandering the streets of Prague and asking for money from drunken passers-by he meets along the way. He still cherishes the hope of buying his freedom from the professor.

Prague has many attractions. Among the cathedrals and palaces, statues and bridges, there are monuments that have their own special history and give the city an aura of mystery. I found 13 such places in the Czech capital.

Metal Giant

Cemetery at the hospital in Bognice

This attraction has been described as a setting for Stephen King novels or low-budget horror films. The cemetery near the psychiatric hospital (hřbitov psychiatrické nemocnice v Bohnicích) was opened from 1903 to 1963 and contains 4,000 graves on its territory. Today the cemetery is a popular haven for Satanists.

Address: hřbitov Prague, Bohnice.

Grim dance of death

Since we started looking at creepy places, it makes sense to mention the Strašnice Crematorium. It is known for the fact that it occupies a huge area and is the largest in Europe, although perhaps this is hardly something to be proud of. Even more sinister is the crematorium's connection to Nazism and communism in the country's history. It was here that the corpses of victims of both regimes were burned. The crematorium was opened to the public in 2013 during the European Heritage Days.

Address: 100 00 Prague-Prague 10.

Closed apartments

Only 2.25 m wide house on the small and narrow Anežská street. It was built in 1883 and originally had an entrance from the inside of the courtyard. The building was built as a brothel, which was open until 1922.

Address: Anežská 4, Stare Město, Prague 1.

Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia

In some cases, the pursuit of science is truly diabolical. The Hrdličkovo Muzeum člověka Museum at the Faculty of Natural History of Charles University has in its collection skeletons and remains, examples of serious deformations and injuries, mummification - both natural and artificial. The exhibits give visitors “goosebumps,” and the collection is called “Biological Diversity of Humanity.”

Installation on the gate, photo by Barbara Rich

It is very strange. Several bald heads cast in bronze look in different directions from the large gates at the Fruit Market Square (Ovocný trh). And only the heads. Something is wrong with this project.

Address: Ovocny trh, Stare Město, Prague 1.

Holy spatula

Some remains were collected intentionally, while others were found by accident. In 2002, members discovered a shrine - supposedly the shoulder blade of St. Valentine. The history of St. Valentine is unclear; several people have been associated with the legend of the saint, so it is not surprising that several churches lay claim to his remains. In Prague, St. Valentine's scapula is on display in the Church of St. Peter and Paul. You can see it every year on Valentine's Day - if a candlelit dinner with your loved one isn't your thing.

Ancient mummified hand

The Church of St. Jakub in the Old Town (Kostel svatého Jakuba Většího) is not only the resting place of Chancellor Vratislav – Count of Mitrovica, who was buried alive, it also has a “tame” attraction: a 400-year-old mummified hand (forearm) that dangles to the right from the entrance to the tomb. This hand allegedly once belonged to a thief who tried to steal jewelry from the altar. The statue of the Virgin Mary grabbed the robber's hand and took revenge for the theft.

Address: Malá Štupartská, Prague 1.

Mysterious lights of Petřín

Petřín, photo by Honza Marek

Not all of Petřín’s mysterious atmosphere is shrouded in legends. Art carries some secrets. The artist and sculptor Reon Argondian created the gallery, designed it as a sorcerer's dwelling and called it “Magická jeskyně”, filling the space with his imagination inspired by art. In his works, the unreal is combined with the natural and coexists with it in complete harmony. Fantasy lovers have something to see! Paintings and figures of the inhabitants of the magical country of Argonia were created by Reon long before the film “The Lord of the Rings”. The pictures, of course, may not inspire fear, but the cracked and collapsed walls...

How to get there: from Ujezd Street there is a road leading up to Petrin. Follow it until you reach the first stop of the NEBOZÍZEK funicular. There will be a house there. This is the gallery. It is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. If Reon is on site, he can give an individual tour for those interested. Site: (Prokopské údolí), the tunnel is a hole in a large stone and leads to a military zone. Please remember that entry into this area is prohibited. Despite this, on the Internet you can find a video of a visit to the tunnel, or at least attempts to enter. The actual purpose of the tunnel is shrouded in mystery.

Address: Prokopske udolí 257/10, Prague 5.

Gas lamps

Gas lamp on Hradcany Square, photo Daioh

Gas lamps began appearing in Prague in 1847. Prague bathed in their eerie glow throughout the twentieth century. In 2002, the historic gas lamps returned. Now you can find 300 of them in the center of Prague, including large candelabra on (Hradčanské námĕstí) and. They work thanks to a modern gas lighting system and again add mystery to the city.

Address: Hradcanské námĕstí, Prague 1.

13 mysterious sights of Prague

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Introduction

Prague has always been a magnet for strange creatures, mad scientists and alchemists. Want to know why this happens? Then join us on a tour and hear stories about the legendary Prague spirits and the local rulers' passion for the occult. Walk through the Prague alleys, where desperate souls rise from the dead every night and where you can still smell blood and tears...

Description

The Mystic Prague walking tour is suitable for most people. This is an exciting, fun and of course scary journey!

No other city in Europe has as many mystical legends as Prague. On the tour we will go through the stories and legends associated with the magical capital of old Europe.

Our guide will become your only source of light in the dark history of Prague. He will guide you through the winding nooks and dimly lit streets of the old city, which hide many mysteries and strange, but very fascinating tales. In addition, thanks to the guide, you will be able to decipher the secret symbolism contained in the architecture of shabby buildings and temples, learn their stories and legends.

Meeting with the guide and departure for the excursion "Mystical Prague"

At the appointed place (see information about the pick-up point below, also - this information will be indicated in the voucher) you will be met by a guide and invited to a walking tour of Prague.

Guide:

Russian-speaking guide throughout the tour

Special equipment:

We use a special transmitter that will allow you to hear the guide at a distance of up to 20 meters

What to take with you:

Passport, insurance (originals), comfortable shoes

Cancellation of an order:

You can cancel your order 48 hours in advance

Start of the excursion

Prague is one of the most mystical places in the World. Come with us in the footsteps of the spirits of history and legends associated with the magical capital of old Europe. On a mystical excursion we will leave the bright lights and plunge into the dark side of Prague. The only “light source” will be our guide, who will lead you through the winding nooks and dimly lit streets of the Old Town, hiding mysterious messages and ancient tales. On the excursion we will examine many ancient buildings and temples and try to decipher the secret symbolism contained in their architecture. Prague is known as the most haunted city in Europe. Ghosts inhabit many areas of the city - but you need to know where to look for them! Prague's dramatic 1,000-year history is filled with chilling tales, curses and restless spirits that have risen to haunt the city for eternity in search of solace.

Our creativity attracted the attention of the famous tourism program “Heads and Tails”.

Megatour + Heads and Tails

To visit the capital of the Czech Republic and not come into contact with its legends means to lose a lot. Of course, we could not allow such a development of events, so we invite all guests of the city to take a simply amazing journey through time with us! Before you even blink an eye, the “Mystical Prague” excursion, organized by MegaTour, will take you straight... to the Middle Ages. After all, it was in that distant time that the famous Golem, the Headless Knight, as well as alchemists and magicians wandered along the narrow ancient streets. Not to mention Princess Libusha, the One-Armed Thief, the spirit of the Miller's daughter and many, many others. Just imagine: you are following in the footsteps of the most famous mystical characters, whose names are firmly associated with the legends and secrets of the glorious city, the first mention of which dates back to the distant 9th century. Fascinating, isn't it? But that’s not all: while traveling through historical places, you will not only get to know the sights, but also hear the legends of Prague, which our most creative guide will tell you during the excursion.

Special mention should be made about him. He is an extremely extraordinary person. Its appearance may even confuse you at first. And indeed: in what other city, if not in Prague, does he conduct excursions - just imagine! - a real and at the same time mystical skeleton guide, which looks the part. But as soon as you get to know him better, we assure you, you will be imbued with such sympathy for him that you simply will not want to part with him.

mystical prague reviews

Who, if not he, can talk so bewitchingly, for example, about mermen and witches? At some point, he may get so carried away that he will call on his friends - charming ghosts - to help him. And in such wonderful company, under the light of night lamps, you will learn about how medieval Prague lived - from the mysterious to the funny. By the way, it has been noticed that mystical creatures love to walk near the capital’s famous pubs, and groups of tourists often meet them there. The end result is a good continuation of the party - believe us!

Yes, magical Prague cannot help but attract people. Everyone is convinced of this, having at least once come into contact with its wondrous legends, mystical stories and exciting fairy tales. Coming again to this glorious ancient city, tourists invariably want to hear something new about its past, so rich in secrets and wonders. Therefore, we, the MegaTour company, will always find something to surprise you with during our exclusive costumed excursions.

Prague is one of the most mystical cities in Europe, and perhaps the whole world. G. Myripk, a writer and financier (according to rumors, used forbidden occult techniques in the fight against competitors), gives his definition of the uniqueness of Prague: “Other cities, no matter how ancient they may be, seem to me to be slaves of those who live in them; they are like as if disinfected with some strong sterilizing acid - Prague controls its inhabitants like puppets: pulling their strings from the first to the last breath "... The magical essence of the city is best manifested in the low season, when autumn or spring fogs enter Prague from the Vltava - Moldau rivers return full rights of citizenship to the ghosts of different centuries and eras.

The modern capital of the Czech Republic was made up of four cities: Hradcany (which grew up around the royal fortress - Grad), the trade and university Old Town (Stare Mesto), founded for the German colonists by King Přemysl Otakar II quarter of Lesser Town and, finally, the New Town (New Town) built by Emperor Charles IV Place). Each of these cities had its own laws, rights and privileges. They merged into a single administrative system only in 1784. If we add here the ancient knightly Vysehrad and the Old Jewish Town, united with Prague only in 1850, then there are already six Prague cities.

The ancient Slavic city was founded in the 9th century by the princess-prophetess Libushe near the town of Melnik, where at the confluence of the Vltava and Laba waters the paths of Cech, Lech and Rus diverged.

The most ancient ghosts surround two Prague strongholds that acted as antitheses in history - the imperial residence of the Castle and the disgraced Vysehrad, with which, however, the first events of Czech history are connected. The wise and beautiful princess-prophetess Libuše, the founder of the Visegrad fortress on the rock above the Vltava, ordered the hero Přemysl to be brought to her straight from the plow to make him her husband. From their marriage came the dynasty of Czech kings. After Libuse's death, her friends tried to defend the matriarchal order in the famous War of the Maidens, but were defeated.

Legend tells that Libuše, accompanied by young maidens, often went to the bathhouse under the walls of Vyšehrad. It is believed that when twilight falls on Prague, beauties from the last millennium appear in the place where they served their mistress, and a late traveler can hear their enchanting singing. In fact, the romantic Libuše bathhouse on the southern side of the fortress is the ruins of a 15th-century watchtower: river ships brought food here and lifted it up through a hollow in the rock.

One day she left Prague Castle to make a sacrifice to pagan deities. Along the way, Dragomira shouted curses at Christianity. Her blasphemies did not go unpunished - suddenly the earth opened up, sulfur flames blazed from the chasm, and the chariot with the princess was swallowed up by the hellish abyss. Prague residents know that Dragomira can appear in our time on a carriage engulfed in hellish fire without a coachman. On dark and stormy nights, amid the reflections of lightning and the howling of the wind, hellish horses carry her through the streets of Hradcan. Another legend says that the soul of the princess, who has not received repose, appears once a year in the form of a fiery dog at the Church of St. Mikulasha.

Modern Cathedral of St. Vita (XIV century) includes an ancient chapel dedicated to the patron saint of the Czech lands, the holy passion-bearer Vyacheslav (Vaclav), the son of Vorotislav and Dragomira, who was killed in September 935. A door with a handle in the shape of a lion's head leads into the luxuriously decorated chapel - it was this that the martyr prince grabbed hold of as he fell under the mortal blows. From the chapel of St. Wenceslas has a passage to the treasury where the royal regalia is kept - they are shown to the public only on special occasions. The crown of St. is also kept in this storeroom. Vaclav. Legend claims that anyone who dares to try on the crown of the holy prince will die a terrible death. The last person to take the crown was the German protector of Bohemia and Moravia, Heydrich. Soon after this, his car was blown up by Czechoslovak saboteurs.

The Charles Bridge, built by master Peter Parler on the instructions of King Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty, connects not only Lesser Town with the Old Town - this bridge seems to have been thrown across centuries. During the era of the Crusades, the most important strategic crossing on the route that was supposed to end in Jerusalem was located here. There is evidence that the Charles Bridge was built in accordance with astrological and numerological prescriptions. Its sculpture gallery preserves the memory of sacred milestones of Czech history. According to legend, the place where the famous Prague knight stands was marked in ancient times by a pagan temple, and the idol, overthrown from here, still lies at the bottom of the river. The island of Kampa, covered by a bridge, is separated from Mala Strana by a channel called Chertovka. This name did not arise by chance - mills have stood here since ancient times (and millers, as you know, are known with evil spirits). One of the houses remained in Prague history under the name “At the Seven Devils”.

But there is also a spirit of holiness on the bridge. Between the sixth and seventh bays there is a statue of the holy bishop John of Nepomuk (Nepomuk). From this very place in 1393 the Prague archbishop was thrown into the river. Tradition says that King Wenceslas IV doomed him to death for refusing to reveal the queen's secret confession. Today, generally speaking, not very religious Czechs come to the statue to entrust their deepest secrets to Jan Nepomuk and make wishes (which they believe will be granted).

We have not yet named many Prague ghosts here. A silver horseman appears on Vratislavova Street - King Přemysl Otakar II; on Celetnaya, near Carolinum University, you can meet the ghosts of a prostitute and a priest (once an angry servant of God killed a harlot here and suddenly died from a stroke); in the pub “U Ribar” (and they say that in many other pubs too), a late visitor is not immune from meeting the melancholy Master Palekh, who once betrayed Jan Hus to death. A large number of ghosts are associated with the medieval community of alchemists and with the Jewish diaspora.

It has been suggested that the abundance of ghosts in Prague is explained by some natural phenomenon, for example, the presence of radioactive rocks in the ground. But Prague itself, with its architectural landscape, remains the strongest factor influencing human consciousness. G. Meyrink, who never tired of being amazed by the city on the Vltava, admitted: “This fantastic Gothic with its sculptures, as if cast from dried blood! No matter how much I look at her, she never ceases to excite my soul.”

edited news Elfin - 1-11-2013, 07:06