The witches of Prague have a special place among the inhabitants of this entity, since every April 30 they celebrate the night of San Felipe and Santiago. And legend has it that the witches celebrate their Sabbath on the top of the mountains, in which the earth is opened and they offer their treasures.
In fact, the ancient Slavs were afraid of them and protected themselves with a fern or a host, and as for some this protection was not enough, they opted for the most powerful ritual which was to light a fire and burn them until they were eliminated.
The reality is that the legend of the Prague witches dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries with the Inquisition, particularly in a city called Velké Losiny. It is said that between 1678 and 1696 the greatest witch hunt took place here. It all started because a homeless woman named Marina Schunová stole a host during a mass because she believed that with it she could heal a cow that did not give milk when she was milked.
Countess Angelia de Galle (mistress of the kingdom), upon realizing this theft, called Jindrîch Boblig - the highest inquisitor of that region - to condemn the beggar, who tortured her with thumbscrews and a Malay boot until she confessed that she was a witch.
There were also many Boblig victims who said they flew on brooms into the mountains, organized covens, stepped on hosts and fornicated with the devil. Therefore, he decided to burn many at the stake, including the beggar. It is said that more than 80 people died in this hunt.
There was also another city called Sumperk in which the inquisitor carried out heinous acts against the citizens. He tirelessly pursued the priest Krystof Alois - one of the most famous victims during the hunt - as he was an activist against this hunt and especially blamed Boblig.
Finally, the latter put him in prison after having tortured him until he made him confess about his work against the witch hunt and burned him in the city of Mohelnice.
From here arises the night of the burning of witches in the Czech Republic and it is said that during this night (April 30 to May 1) they wander everywhere. The Czechs have the belief to protect themselves of them with a series of amulets (like the fern leaves), but mainly with bonfires to burn them.
This idea passed from generation to generation until it became a holiday. So this day, the whole country lights bonfires to burn rag and straw witches to show that they are not afraid of them.
Women and girls often dance around the fire. They all dress in dark and old clothes to simulate the dreaded sorceresses. Some men jump on top of the campfire to show their bravery before the witches. The night of San Felipe and Santiago today has become an evening that everyone likes.
So now you know, that if you go to Prague or the Czech Republic in general, you can meet the occasional witch on the street. Wear your fern amulet to protect yourself.
