Legends of Prague

Behind Prague’s undeniably rich history are a wealth of legends and myths. These tales, sometimes magical and sometimes bloody, color the actual events. To some Czechs, these stories are an important part of their cultural identity. For the expat, they can be a fun read in their own right.

At first the men mocked the women’s attempts to learn swordplay, archery and horse-riding. That was all until Přemysl, who inherited both his wife’s position and leadership style, recounted a dream to the men as a warning. In the dream a young girl in full battle dress offered a goblet of blood for him to drink. The men thought the dream was nonsense and attacked Děvín. Přemysl’s prediction proved right and the women were victorious.

The outcome emboldened Vlasta. She planned to kidnap Ctirad, one of Přemysl’s most trusted men, while he was returning to Vyšehrad. As bait, she had a beautiful young woman, called Šárka, tied to a tree. Ctirad heard her pleas and freed her. Šárka offered him some potent mead, which she just happened to have. Once he was drunk enough, Šárka asked him to blow his hunter’s horn, thus alerting the maiden warriors. Ctiard, now presumably wiser about freeing strange women, was captured. The region Šárka is named for this deed.

Přemysl was so enraged by this deceit that he sent his men to attack Děvín. This time the women didn’t get the upper-hand and, well, let’s just say nothing remained of the castle after the attack.

When Vojen came into power, he was too young to rule, so a Rohovic was appointed to govern in his stead. Rohovic was a stern ruler who punished any act, no matter how small. Eventually, the people decided they would prefer a young ruler than this guy. The upstart tried to stop the rightful ruler getting into the castle and escaped when they finally did.

Rohovic now turned to a life of crime, preying on the people in the Lucko region. Vojen sent a messenger to order Rohovic back, and Rohovic sent him the messenger’s head on a stake. Now things were serious. After 63 day seige of Rohovic’s stronghold, Vojen’s men captured Rohovic and brought him to Vyšehrad.

Vojen wasn’t in the mood for mercy and sentenced Rohovic to death on the river bank opposite the castle. While in the boat, Rohovic, who didn’t know when to quit, cursed and threatened Vojen.

Now, if you’re thinking that Rohovic, escaped and got the last laugh, hence the name, sorry you’re mistaken. The villain finally got his comeuppance. As for the laughter, it was due to the evil spirits which gathered around his body as he was executed.

Horymír was sent to warn the people. Instead of listening, the miners broke into his castle and torched what remained of his grain to punish him for being such a ninny and worrying about food. Horymír escaped on his trusty steed, Šemík, swearing revenge, which meant burning down the miners’ property.

The problem for Horymír was that the miners told Křesomysl, who sentenced him to death for his actions. Before the execution, he asked Křesomysl to grant a final wish. He wanted to ride his horse one last time. And these being simpler times, they let him.

Mounting Šemík, Horymír rode him up onto the battlements of Vyšehrad and down into the Vltava. As he leaped down the valley, Šemík allegedly turned to his master and said, “Hold on tight.” He then rode off to Neumětely and safety. People were so astounded they asked for Horymír to be pardoned.

A messenger was sent to Neumětely with Křesomysl’s promise of clemency. Horymír returned, but this time without his faithful horse. The jump took its toll on Šemík and he passed away a couple of days after their escape. He is said to be buried in Neumětely.

The baker was so furious he went to look for Žito, finally finding the magician napping in a pub. He tried to wake the slumbering wizard by grabbing his leg. In his fury he tore it from Žito’s joint. Žito awoke and was now himself in a rage. He clutched the baker around the neck and together they went to the court, where the people could see the injury.

All the baker could do was beg for forgiveness and pay compensation, even though it was him who was sold faulty pigs. From this time, derives the saying “You have profited like Michael on his pigs,” meaning you haven’t benefited at all. A further moral could be that when dealing with people in government, which Žito belonged to at the time, it will always cost you.

The golem was made to serve the people of Jewish Quarter. Loew is said to have fashioned the creature from clay from the banks of the Vltava and brought it to life by inserting a capsule, known as a shem, which contained a scroll, in the golem’s mouth. Whoever inserted the shem had control over the golem.

Loew mainly had the golem do good works, helping the people in the community and protecting them from attacks. According to one version, the golem fell in love with a young woman called Sarah, and would follow her around like a puppy, albeit an immensely strong, gigantic, clay puppy.

On the sabbath, Lowe would remove the shem and the golem would remain motionless. One day, the Rabbi forgot, and without his master there, the golem became destructive, basically trashing the Rabbi’s home.

Loew returned and removed the shem and had the now lifeless golem placed in the attic of the New Old Synagogue, where it’s said it remained, slowing turning into a mound of dry dust. In another account, on the occasion of Loew’s one hundredth birthday, he went to see the golem. He was shocked to see that his creation was merely a head, and the head was crying. When the old man leaned down to wipe the tears away, he died.

These are just some of the legends of Prague. Not all of the many weird and wonderful tales could be included. Have you got any you’d like to share?

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