Ghost Stories From Prague
Tour the Czech Republic’s Capital With Haunted Tales of the Charles
If you like to be scared, you can find plenty of eerie tales and ghost stories about Prague, especially around Charles Bridge: Guest writer Bridget Lux reports.
Prague, the Old World capital of the Czech Republic, provides the perfect setting for ghost stories. Dark, narrow alleys intertwine around this ancient Eastern European city, offering cover for the numerous spirits that legends say populate the area.
Ghosts at Charles Bridge
Prague’s foremost tourist attraction, the Charles Bridge, is lined with statues of saints, giving visitors the feeling that they are being watched over as they cross the Gothic span. Legend has it that one of these saints wasn’t exactly dead when he was transformed into a statue.
In the 14th century, St. John of Nepomuk had taken confession from Queen Johanna, King Wenceslas IV’s wife. When the saint refused to tell the king what was confessed, Wenceslas had the priest tortured and then thrown from the bridge and left to die.
For nearly 300 years, St. John was seen around the bridge and along the waterfront until his soul was contained as a “frozen ghost” in the 17th century statue. Now, it is said that if you’ve got a secret to keep, touching the statue will ensure no one discovers it.
The bridge is also said to be haunted by a group of ten lords who were executed during the Middle Ages. Their heads were stuck on poles and placed on the bridge. Now, the lords’ ghosts haunt the bridge, singing mournful songs intended to terrify anyone who dares to cross the bridge at midnight.
Mainland Ghosts of Prague
The bridge connects the Old Town with the Little Quarter. Both are said to be filled with ghosts. The Little Quarter includes a Swede who lost his head during a battle of the 30 Years War. The mounted ghost is often seen cantering around the area, carrying his head in a burlap sack. Infidelity is said to be at the root of a number of other ghosts in the area.
These tidbits provide just a peak into the numerous ghost stories of Prague. There are many, many more, including one about a headless monk, another about Rabbi Loeb and the Golem of Prague and the Jewish Cemetery is said to be full of ghosts.
Taking a Ghost Story Tour of Prague
A couple of companies organize tours based on ghost stories. One of the most popular is offered by Prague Walks. Ghost tour - Esoteric, mysterious Prague is an hour-long tour offered daily for about $10US. Prague Private Guides offers a two- to three-hour walk, but it is generally for larger groups.
