Prague’s Most Haunted Spots and Their Dark Pasts

Prague, laying in the heart of Europe, has a rich history covering more than a thousand years and it is engrossed in tales of myths and legends.

Known as one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, the beautiful yet menacing gothic architecture defines the bewitching capital.

The charm of the city, carefully conserved in the dark, winding cobbled streets and mighty towers, ultimately sets the scene for the perfect ghost story.

In the spirit of Halloween fast approaching, we thought it would be only fitting to compile a list of some of Prague’s most haunted spots.

House at the Golden Well

Located in the beautiful district of old town, the alluring gardens and unique artistry of this building are very much deceiving- the house harbours a dark history.

Legends say that a housemaid called Ľubomíra tragically drowned after falling to her death in a well which was located beneath the building while she looked for gold. Her cries for help went unheard and it was too late by the time her body was found. It is said that to this day she still spends her evenings haunting the environs of the house, dripping wet with drooping hair, chattering teeth, and weeping eyes. 

Daliborka Tower

Located in the Prague Castle complex, up until the 18^th century, the tower was used as a prison. Its name comes from its first prisoner, a man called Dalibor who was a young and brave knight sentenced to death and kept in the dungeon of the tower to await his fate.

Legends say he learnt to play the violin while entrapped, and the sound would awake the citizens of Prague who would in turn gather by the tower with affection to watch him play and give him food and drink. He became so popular that his execution date was not announced, but the adoring citizens knew he had been killed once his violin was silenced.

However, there is a darker meaning behind the legend. A “violin” is also the colloquial name for a torture device. The songs people heard could very well have been his screams from torture as he “sang” his confession. Some say you can still hear Dalibor play his ‘violin’ at night…

Charles Bridge

Although a hotspot for tourists, the bridge has a grotesque past. Although there are a few haunting tales of the bridge, our favourite is that of the 27 noblemen who were executed in Old Town Square in 1621 for playing a role in the Estates Uprising.

12 of their heads were put in iron baskets and hung from Charles Bridge to set an example. It is said that on June 21^st of each year the ghosts of the men haunt the night as they walk from Charles Bridge to Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock and to inspect the city.

Vysehrad

The ghost of the French Major, one of Prague’s most bloodthirsty and feared ghosts, was once the commander of the French troops who invaded Prague in 1741 during the War of the Austrian Succession.

He died in battle, but his angry ghost is said to have killed and strangled many soldiers when Vyšehrad was a military complex. But he started to calm down in 1892 once a soldier saluted him and showed proper respect. If you encounter him and are wearing some sort of uniform, it is best to still salute him just to be on the safe side.

Liliova Street

The headless body of a former member of the Knights Templar is said to haunt Liliova Street, Prague 1, between midnight and 1 a.m. every night. It is said he can be found with his head in his hand riding along the cobblestone street on his trotting horse -challenging the living to release him from the grips of his ghostly servitude.

He was beheaded at the Monastery of St Lawrence, and ever since has been making his midnight rides on the creepy street.