Right before the gates of Cesky Krumlov’s castle and just for one summer night per year, a magic line appears on the floor. The ones that cross it enter a different world full of magic and wonders, games and wine, food and dances, fire and music.
Some musicians welcomed us at the Gate, playing mediaeval tunes.
Once in, the militia would stop us and ask for our papers. They all had slightly suspicious -yet glorious- moustaches.
Our papers were in order, so they let us in.
All sorts of peculiar and curious creatures would be waiting there to mock us, examine us, ask us to play games, tease us and even throw stones at us.
A Harlequin would watch us from afar, staying still. Very, very still.
After crossing these first encounters, we entered a tunnel to a small courtyard in the castle. We had to fight the guardians, some weird creatures with long legs. We managed to avoid them by sliding right from within their feet.
It was there that a very mysterious creature approached me. It was very impressed by my partner’s beauty and wanted to take her for himself.
He offered me a shiny diamond.
I laughed.
I sold her off for TWO.
Everybody was laughing except for my partner.
Later she would tell me that I should have sold her out for TEN.
In the courtyard, there was juggling and music from a small group of pipe players.
All the weird creatures came to meet us there.
Next we went upstairs to the great ballroom of the castle. There was food, wine and games. They gave us some diamonds that we could bet on the many different tables, run by these creatures. Games of luck and games of skill – take your pick!
Where they to be trusted? I am not sure.
After the dances, we walked to the Baroque Theater, preserved with its original stage technology since the 17th century. An Italian guy would prompt us to go there saying “Operaaaa…. Dramaaaatic”.
We watched a French Opera, the way it was done hundreds of years ago. Candlelights, ropes for changing the scene and the music from the orchestra.
After the opera the same Italian guy would ask us to go the Gardens. “Mangareee”, he said, in his coarse voice, as if he wanted to highlight the next human passion that would be satisfied next.
We walked through the dark corridor of the Cloak Bridge, to the Gardens. Strange encounters would stay still right and left, adding to a mysterious feeling. The hallway was dark and lit only be a few candles.
What came next was straight out of a dream:
The Gardens were lit by thousands of candles and there were tables with food of all sorts, wine, cheese and fruits.
There was music from an outdoor classical orchestra, games with fire and even oriental dances.
Then horses with light lances joined the dances.
A carriage brought Apollo on a chariot. The crowds would hail him by shouting VIVA APOLLO!
The night continued with music, dances and shows. Medieval traditional dancers gave way to the gypsies. The horses joined the dance.
The nights ended with fireworks.
