Old Prague Houses Stories

There are so many old and beautiful houses in Prague that tourists and locals start to get used to them and pass by, not knowing that almost every house in the old city has a story.

I recently finished reading Magdalena Wagnerova’s book Tales of Old Prague Houses. It inspired me to find some of these houses, draw them and share with you the most interesting stories from my perspective. I have selected a couple of stories, so there will be a series of blogposts.

The Faust House or Faustův dům

Address: Karlovo nám. 502/40, 128 00 Nové Město

You will find Faustův dům in the Old Town area of Prague, near the Old Town Square. It is a Gothic-style building that dates back to the 16th century. It is named after well-known legend of Doctor Faustus.

Many years ago, Doctor Faust lived in a house on the corner of Charles Square. He practiced black magic, searching for the recipe for the elixir of youth. He sold his soul to the devil in order to succeed. At midnight, when the devil came for his price, no one could sleep: the walls of the houses were shaking as if the end of the world had come.

From that day on, the house began to destroy and no one knew what was going on there because everyone was afraid to go inside. Many years later, a poor student showed up on the doorstep. Seeing that the house was abandoned, the student decided to find a place to sleep here. He was shocked by the things he saw inside!
There was a boat with rowers who started rowing as soon as the student looked at them. A tiny drummer would run around and start drumming when the student ordered him to. Occasionally a young woman would walk through the corridors and splash water on anyone who came close enough. The stairs would disappear as soon as the student went up a floor, and reappear when he needed to come down.

The dining room was set for one person, but there was a silver coin on the plate instead of food. The happy student grabbed the coin and went to buy food at the market. As soon as he spent the coin, a new one appeared on the plate in the house. In the end, greed ruined the student and he left his study and started drinking and partying. And one day he mystically disappeared like Doctor Faust. Perhaps the devil took him too?