Legends In Stone
Some places hold more than just history; they harbor secrets, too. Be it mythical or true legends, these stories will drive you to visit the mysterious Czech Republic—or deter you.
Houska Castle
Famously known as "The Gate to Hell," Houska Castle is located about 47 kilometers north of Prague in the Kokořín Forest area. It was built in the late 13th century, probably between 1253 and 1278, and lies near the village of Blatce.
Petr Kratochvíl, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Built By A Bohemian King
The castle, which was initially designed as a place to manage royal lands, was built by the well-known Bohemian king Přemysl Otakar II. While the main style of the castle is Gothic, it got some Renaissance updates in the late 1500s.
Lukáš Kalista, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Is The Castle A Gateway To Hell?
So, Houska castle is associated with legends of being built over a bottomless pit that is believed to be a gateway to Hell, as the name suggests. Folklore suggests that this pit was home to demonic creatures and that the castle was constructed to seal it off.
Tatiana Diuvbanova, Shutterstock
Sedlec Ossuary
The Sedlec Ossuary has an interesting history that goes way back to 1278. That's when Abbot Henry came back from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with a jar of soil from Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. He sprinkled that holy dirt over the cemetery by the abbey.
A Hot-Spot For Burials
This act made the cemetery a desirable spot for burials, especially during times of crisis, such as the Black Death in the mid-14th century and the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century. So many people were buried that an ossuary was ultimately needed.
H2k4, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Chandelier Made Of Bones
The ossuary holds the remains of around 40,000–70,000 people, and their bones have been creatively arranged into elaborate displays. This also includes a chandelier made from almost every bone in the human body, along with pyramids of skulls and thigh bones.
Jihlava Catacombs
Historians have come to believe that the main reason for the Jihlava catacombs was linked to the economy. Jihlava was a significant trade center mainly because it was located on important trade routes, and merchants needed a safe place for their goods.
janina cz, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
An Underground Complex
The Jihlava Catacombs are a fascinating underground system in the city of Jihlava, Czech Republic. It is around 25 kilometers long, covers more than 5 hectares, and reaches depths of over 12 meters. This is the second-biggest underground complex in the country.
janina cz, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Glowing Ladder
One of the most intriguing things about the catacombs is the phenomenon of a "glowing ladder" that gives off a reddish-orange light. No one really knows why it happens, though, because tests on the materials didn't show any substances that would make it glow.
janina cz, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Daliborka Tower
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Daliborka Tower is situated at the far eastern end of Golden Lane in Prague Castle. The tower, built in 1496 by architect Benedikt Ried, was originally part of the castle's defenses. King Vladislaus II Jagiello commissioned it.
'Twas A Prison
Daliborka was used as a prison until 1781. In fact, the tower got its name from its first prisoner, Dalibor of Kozojedy, who was locked up in 1498 for sheltering rebellious serfs. There's a legend that says while he was in there, Dalibor learned to play the violin.
Music Birthed By Tragedy
His haunting melodies drew in crowds outside the tower, who brought him some food and drinks out of pity. This link between music and the sad story of Dalibor, who was executed back in 1498, is believed to add a touching layer to the tower's mystery.
Velke Losiny Castle
From 1678 to 1692, Velké Losiny gained a bad reputation due to one of the most famous witch trials in Czech history. Heinrich Franz Boblig von Edelstadt was the leader, and during these trials, a lot of people were executed after being accused of witchcraft.
Its Location
In 1995, the castle was named a national cultural monument, highlighting its importance to Czech history. Velké Losiny is located 8 km northeast of Šumperk District of the Olomouc Region, lying within the Hanušovice Highlands.
Karel Jára, Public domain,, Wikimedia Commons
Zierotin Family's Estate
The Zierotin family was initially in charge of Velké Losiny for more than three hundred years. Their estate housed the castle and also a paper mill and a spa. It is a fine example of late Renaissance architecture built by Jan the Younger of Zierotin.
Faust House
Faust House is located at Karlovo náměstí 40/41 in the New Town part of Prague, Czech Republic. This place has a history that dates back to the 14th century and was originally part of the Palace of the Dukes of Opava.
Rudolf II's Impact
The house became famous during the time of Rudolf II, who was really into alchemy and the mystical side of things. A bunch of alchemists, including Edward Kelley, who is a well-known figure in alchemy, actually lived and worked in this Faust House.
Axolotl Nr, CC BY-SA 3.0,, Wikimedia Commons
Doctor Faustus-esque Deals
It is named after Johann Georg Faust, a legendary man who struck a deal with the devil to gain knowledge and power. Even though Faust never actually lived in Prague, his story is linked to the house also because an alleged hole was left in the ceiling as evidence.
Stories From The House
Faust House is filled with some supernatural stories. One of them is about a poor student who entered that place and stumbled upon some black magic books. It is said that after he started reading spells from them, he just vanished without a trace.
Manka, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Svatobor Mountain
The beautiful Svatobor Mountain is about 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) above sea level. It's one of the most prominent peaks, which is situated in the Šumava area, near the town of Nové Strašecí in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.
Gampe, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rituals Performed At The Peak
Svatobor was a mountain where ancient Slavic tribes would gather to perform pagan rituals for their gods. Before the Christianization of the Slavs, various tribes practiced polytheism, worshiping multiple deities associated with natural elements such as Mother Earth.
O. Mejsnar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Old Jewish Cemetery
The cemetery was founded in the first half of the 15th century, with the earliest tombstone dating back to 1439. It served as the only burial ground for Prague's Jewish community until 1787. This cemetery is a vital part of Prague's Jewish heritage.
Burial Count
Due to limited space, burials were conducted on top of one another, resulting in graves that could be stacked up to literally ten deep. It is estimated that around 100,000 individuals are interred here, although there are about 12,000 visible tombstones.
Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Notable Burials
Important people from Prague's Jewish history are laid to rest in the Old Jewish Cemetery. One well-known individual is Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, also known as Maharal. He was a scholar and philosopher linked to the Golem myth, buried here in 1609.
Andrzej Lisowski Travel, Shutterstock
Devil's Column
Devil's Column is located in the Vyšehrad area. It consists of three stone columns crafted from granodiorite, a type of rock that comes from quarries in central Bohemia, close to Sázava. The first time the column was mentioned was in a book called Bellum hussiticum.
The Myth
According to a legend, a priest bet the devil that he could celebrate Mass before the devil could bring a column from St. Peter's Basilica. The devil lost this wager and angrily threw the column from a great height to the ground, resulting in its current state.
Czernin Palace
Czernin Palace, or Černínský palác in Czech, is a standout Baroque building in Prague's Hradčany district, close to Loreto. Czernin Palace has been home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ever since Czechoslovakia was set up back in 1918.
Daniel Baránek, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mysterious Deaths
The palace has seen historical moments, like the mysterious death of Jan Masaryk, the son of Czechoslovakia's first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. His death happened in March 1948 under suspicious circumstances and is called the last defenestration in Prague.
Mister No, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
More Odd Deaths In The Czernin Palace
So, after Count Humprecht Jan Černín passed away in 1682, there's an eerie story that his spirit was called upon by a relative who was skilled in the occult. They needed him to sign some contracts he hadn't gotten around to during his life.
Bítov Castle
Overlooking the Želetavka River, this castle was a defensive point for the southern borders of the Přemyslid territory. Over the years, Bítov Castle changed owners several times, with important families like the Lichtenburgs and Dauns having a big impact on its story.
Dog Lover Owners
It is allegedly believed that the Bítov Castle's last private owner, Baron Georg Haas Jr., lived alone with more than 200 dogs. He eventually ended up taking his own life in 1945. This sort of adds an emotionally scary element to the castle's history.
Ján Hricko, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Říp Mountain
In Czech mythology, Říp Mountain is apparently the spot where Forefather Čech, an important figure for the Czech people, led his tribe after a long trek to find the promised land. When they reached the top, he declared it the land of milk and honey.
Czech Nationalism
This signified it as the place for the Czechs to settle down. The story was noted by chroniclers like Kosmas back in the 12th century and has become a key part of Czech national identity. The mountain has been a symbol of Czech heritage and nationalism ever since.
Michaela Jilkova, Shutterstock
The Volcanic Eruption
Říp is a remnant of an old volcano that erupted during the late Oligocene period. It is mostly basalt rock. The mountain's geological features make it noticeable in the flat area of the Central Bohemian Table. Due to magnetite, it also causes magnetic effects.
Rosa Coeli Monastery
The monastery was established as a form of penance for William of Pulín's wartime atrocities. Rosa Coeli Monastery, located in Dolní Kounice, Czech Republic, is a site founded in 1181 by William of Pulín as a monastery for the Premonstratensian order.
The Time It Was Ablaze
Rosa Coeli went through a tough time during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century and was later rebuilt. But it ran into more trouble when a huge fire hit in 1703, which caused it to fall into decline. The roofless main nave of the church showcases Gothic architecture.
The Nuns
Some local stories say that a couple of residing nuns were thrown out or even killed by villagers because of their supposed bad behavior. The myth suggests that the community of nuns fell into disarray after Martin Göschel, the priest, converted to Lutheranism.
Blaník Mountain
Blaník Mountain is close to Louňovice pod Blaníkem in Central Bohemia. It's got two main peaks: the taller one is Velký Blaník, which rises to 638 meters, and then there's Malý Blaník, which stands at 580 meters. The surrounding is a designated protected area.
Jiří Bubeníček, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
What Happened At The Czech National Revival
During the Czech National Revival, stones quarried from Blaník were symbolically placed in the foundations of the National Theatre in Prague, linking the mountain to Czech national identity. Many pilgrims tend to believe that this place also holds spiritual energy.
Marek Velechovsky, Shutterstock
The Knights Of Blaník
Perhaps the famous legend associated with Blaník is that of the Knights of Blaník, who are said to be sleeping inside the mountain, waiting for a time when the Czech nation is in dire need. These knights, led by Saint Wenceslaus, will awaken to defend their homeland.
TKub, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kokořín Castle
Near the village of Kokořín, this castle was built in the early 14th century, probably around 1320, by Hynek Berka of Dubá. He basically wanted to design a Gothic fortress. Later on, Emperor Ferdinand II labeled Kokořín as one of the "cursed castles".
An Attack On The Monarchy
This meant that it couldn't be maintained because people were worried it might threaten the monarchy. In the late 19th century, the castle was purchased by Václav Špaček, who undertook extensive renovations from 1911 to 1918, restoring it to a Gothic style.
Tatiana Diuvbanova, Shutterstock
Haunted Castle
There's this rumored story about the ghost of a young girl, said to be the miller's daughter, who still hangs around the castle grounds after a sad ending to her life. Anyway, the castle has a cylindrical defense tower and a two-story residential palace.
Zvíkov Castle
Zvíkov Castle has some interesting local lore—it's said to be haunted by a playful spirit called Zvíkov's Imp, or Zvíkovský Rarášek in Czech. People say this little trickster is present in two particular towers of the castle: Markomanka Tower and Hlíza (the Black Tower).
Richenza, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
King Of Czech Castles
The castle was built in the early 1200s, and the first time it was mentioned in writing was in 1234. It's believed that King Ottokar I had it built. The castle is often referred to as the "King of Czech Castles" and was originally owned by the Kings of Bohemia.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
