Enchanting Escapades in Central Bohemia
Průhonice Castle and Park – a place for film royalty
Průhonice Chateau is surrounded by a large natural landscape park that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has served as a residence for many noble characters in fairy tales. You might recall the beginning of the story The Third Prince, where two brothers are raised in Průhonice Castle, practicing fencing and horseback riding in the beautiful park nearby. The same park also featured prominently in the beloved fairy tale There’s no joking with devils, where Princess Angelina and Princess Adele frolic around a pond. Other films shot here include Let the Stork Fly, Queen, Long live the ghosts!, Scooter First, The Magic Purse, Float, Cinderella, The Princess with the Golden Star, and Three Veterans.
This fairy-tale park, established in 1885 by Count Arnost Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, features not only a lush forest filled with exotic tree species but also open fields and a large Alpinum (which is built on rocky areas above the Botič River). For those exploring the park, which sits between 280 and 342 meters above sea level, there are 40 kilometers of well-maintained paths. The park is a fantastic spot for unwinding and taking a romantic walk, especially in autumn when the foliage transforms into vibrant shades of red and yellow, while colorful leaves blanket the ground. Spring and summer are equally enchanting, as flowers of all hues bloom and release delightful fragrances throughout the park.
You may recognize the royal town of Kouřim from the series It was Five of Us
The six-part children’s series There Were Five of Us has enchanted viewers of all ages for over 25 years and is set in the royal town of Kouřim, located to the east of Prague. This movie town has retained much of its charm to this day. You can find the Bajza family’s Colonial at 117 Mírové nám., the film’s church, where Čeněk Jirsák served as an altar boy, is actually the Church of St. Stephen. The movie’s bakery on the square is now a real bakery, while the school the boys attended has become a former school at the crossing of Československé armády and Okružní streets. Some landmarks from the series are easily identifiable, like the Prague Gate, the “Modes robes” shop owned by Pete’s Uncle (currently a drugstore), and the inn, which continues to operate as a restaurant.
Just a short distance from the town center lies the Kouřim Museum of Folk Buildings, which has been a popular filming location for more than one fairy tale. Filmmakers have cherished this spot since its inception in 1972. Some notable films shot here include The Comedian (1984), Wingman for Majoranek (1985), the television series Čapek’s pockets – Part 1. Crime in the Cottage (2011), and The Immortal Aunt (1993), How to Earn a Princess (1994), Magic of Kings (2008), Hell with the Princess (2009), and The Secret of the Old Bambitka (2011). If you visit, you’ll likely recognize the cottage from Budč, which appears frequently in the latter fairy tale.
Snowdrop Festival in Kersk
To follow the Snowdrop Festival in Kersk, you will journey through the landscape of Polabí, situated between Lysá nad Labem and Nymburk. You can take the Hrabal’s Trail to explore this beautiful area. The trail features thirteen educational boards that teach you about the life of the writer Bohumil Hrabal, the Snowdrop Festival, as well as the forest and its ecosystem. This approximately 15-kilometer hike, suitable for both cyclists and hikers, begins at the well-known Grove. Even though it has seen some changes, a look at the menu will evoke nostalgia, featuring delicious dishes made from venison, including the legendary Kerry wild boar with speck or cabbage (or a combo of both) and drinks like Postřižinské pivo. The route will guide you past the Forest Studio at Kubu, the Josefský Spring, Hrabal’s cottage, which has the descriptive number 0315, where many of his celebrated works were created, and eventually to the Elbe River. Here you can also explore the fascinating Hrabal exhibit at the Polabský Museum. The trail wraps up in Nymburk, right by the entrance to the Nymburk brewery.
Octopus, Traitors and Franz
The biopic Franz, coming in 2025, directed by Agnieszka Holland, takes inspiration from the life, works, and inner thoughts of the writer Franz Kafka. This remarkable film, blending reality with art, was shot in places like Štampach Mill and the jevan ponds. The heroes of Czech Television’s gripping crime series Octopus 2 once again grapple with complicated cases that delve into the darker aspects of human nature. The thrilling new series was filmed in various locations across Central Bohemia, including the Kosova Hora quarry and the bridge over the Vltava River in Davel. Interestingly, this area has also drawn foreign filmmakers; for instance, in 1968, they produced a war movie called Bridge at Remagen. While shooting, the Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia, complicating the filming process significantly. American tanks brought in for the production caused a stir, which was almost perceived as a NATO “invasion.” The reality show Traitors offers suspense, strategy, and excitement, set against the stunning backdrop of Central Bohemia at the picturesque Křivoklát Castle. The players not only stay within the castle but also undertake missions in the surrounding areas. Other historical landmarks like Hořovice Castle also feature throughout the competition.
Two plays to guide you through film and fairy tale locations
In the Central Bohemian Region, brochures have been created to lead film lovers along a trail showcasing popular Czech and foreign films. With 16 Czech and 8 foreign films to explore, there’s something for everyone. The collection includes a variety of fairy tales, comedies, and dramas, along with plenty of descriptions of notable filming locations. You’ll discover sites linked to films like The Tiger Theory, Mission: Impossible, Anthropoid, and many more. You can pick up a print version at the Central Bohemian Information Centre located in the heart of Prague at Husova 21.
Another option available is Fairy Tale Wanderings, which takes you to the sites where 10 Czech fairy tales were filmed in Central Bohemia. For example, in the cherished fairy tale The Three Veterans, participants are taken to the quarries near the Koněprusské Caves, where they can collect a stamp in the treasure of the karst caves. The fairy tale How the Princesses Wake Up invites visitors to Konopiště Castle. Modern fairy tales are also included, like a stamp opportunity at the open-air museum in Přerov nad Labem, the setting for The Enchanted Feather, the outdoor museum in Kouri, where The Mystery of the Old Bambitka was filmed, and the Chrustenická shaft near Beroun, which was visited during the shooting of the fairy tale The Devil’s Quill.
