There are over two thousand castles, castle ruins, chateaux and fortresses in
the Czech Republic. Almost every one of them bears with it a legend, story
or tale, and of course, children love such fairy-stories.
Castle guides are glad to relate stories to children or even organised tours
in historic costume, making the illusion of the past almost perfect.
During night-time tours children can meet the legendary white
lady or head off down mysterious corridors in search of treasure.
Many Czech castles often hold heraldic celebrations, where
children can see princesses, kings or knights
in armour.
Walking in a nocturnal costume parade, riding in an old steam-train or dancing in costume at a carnival are all possibilities for children in the town of Jičín during the Jičín – Home of Fairy-Tales event. Every year this festival has a different sub-title depicting the spirit of the overall programme. Moreover, the majority of events are held free of charge. According to a well-loved Czech folk tale, the forests near Jičín were home to Rumcajs the Robber, one of the most popular Czech cartoon characters, along with his wife Manka and son Cipísek, as well as many other bandits, water-goblins, forest spirits… with a bit of luck, you can see all of them at the festival
Nature too can tell its tales – all you have to do is to learn how to read them. For example, not far from Jičín you can visit the sandstone cliff formation called Prachovské skaly, the symbol of the Bohemian Paradise Nature Reserve. Children love this place, as the wild geological forms stimulate their imagination – you will certainly be surprised at how many strange figures and shapes your children can see in these ancient towers of living rock.
Another fairy-tale figure from a different region, the fishponds of south Bohemia, is Jakub the Carp. Children can meet him at the Fairy-Tales of South Bohemia festival, held every year during the summer holidays (July or August) in around 20 different places in the South Bohemia region. Jakub the Carp, however, can also be met year-round at such events as ‘A Hike with Jakub the Carp’ or the children’s masked carnival.
Czech children love the short animated films shown every evening on television, known in Czech as ‘večerníčky’. Several characters from these cartoons have become highly popular abroad. Introduce your children to these enchanting heroes by taking them on a tour of the animated film exhibit at the chateau in Kratochvíle. In addition to learning the stories, children are shown how animated films were and are made, and all the work necessary for a one-minute section of a cartoon film.
