Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ŠÁRKA AND CTIRAD
The Šárka valley takes its name from the Amazonian Šárka , who, according to Czech le-
gend, committed suicide here sometime back in the last millennium. The story begins with
the death of Libuše, the founder and first ruler of Prague. The women closest to her, who
had enjoyed enormous freedom and privilege in her court, refused to submit to the new
patriarchy of her husband, Přemysl. Under the leadership of a woman called Vlasta, they
left Vyšehrad and set up their own proto-feminist, separatist colony called Děvín, on the
opposite bank of the river.
They scored numerous military victories over the men of Vyšehrad, but never managed
to finish off the men's leader, a young warrior called Ctirad . In the end they decided to
ensnare him and tied one of their own warriors naked to a tree, sure in the knowledge that
Ctiradwouldtakehertobeamaidenindistressandcometoheraid.Šárkaofferedtoactas
the decoy, luring Ctirad into the ambush, after which he was tortured and killed. However,
in her brief meeting with Ctirad, Šárka fell madly in love with him and, overcome with
grief at what she had done, threw herself off the aforementioned cliff. Roused by the cruel
death of Ctirad, Přemysl and the lads had a final set-to with Vlasta and co., and butchered
the lot of them.
Hvězda
Liboc 25c •Tues-Sun: April & Oct 10am-5pm; May-Sept 10am-6pm • 30Kč • pamatniknarodnihopisem-
nictvi.cz • Tram #1, #2 or #18 to Petřiny
A couple of kilometres southwest of Dejvice, trams #1, #2 and #18 terminate close to the
main entrance to the hunting park of Hvězda , one of Prague's most beautiful and peaceful
green spaces. Wide avenues of trees radiate from a bizarre star-shaped building ( hvězda
means “star”), which was designed by Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol for his wife in 1555. In-
side, there's a small exhibition on the Battle of Bílá hora , which took place nearby. It's the
building itself, though - decorated with delicate stuccowork and frescoes - that's the real
reason for venturing inside; it makes a perfect setting for the chamber music concerts occa-
sionally staged here.
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