Thought you were safe after surviving Rusalka, Vodník, and Polednice from Part 1? 😏 (Haven’t read that one?! Go check it out!). Czech folklore is the gift that keeps on haunting, and trust me—those five příšery (monsters) were just the beginning. Our countryside crawls with enough nightmare fuel to fill several volumes of strašidelné pohádky (scary fairy tales).
I’ve once again used the incredible illustrations by the talented Martin Hanschild, whose artwork perfectly captures the eerie essence of these legendary figures.
So light another svíčka (candle), grab your favorite čaj (tea), and get ready to meet five more legendary figures you definitely wouldn’t want to run into after sunset—or ever. Welcome to Part 2 of our deep dive into the darker side of Czech legends. Let’s go! 🕯️👹
😨 Otesánek – The Baby Who Ate EVERYTHING
If you think babies are cute, Czech folklore is here to ruin that for you. Otesánek is a childless couple’s wish come true—until he starts eating everything in sight, including the kočka (cat), kráva (cow), and eventually his own parents. Think of him as the original “I’m hungry” meme, but horrifying.
🍼 How he gets you: He grows by the second and has neukojitelný hlad (an insatiable hunger). If you’re near him with food—or happen to be food—you’re next.
🥄 Fun fact: There’s a creepy Czech stop-motion film adaptation that’ll stay with you longer than your childhood trauma.
👶🏼 Hejkal – The Screaming Forest Hermit You Didn’t Ask For
The hejkal is a forest-dwelling weirdo who absolutely lives to mess with hikers. He’s part man, part woodland gremlin, and 100% committed to screaming like a banshee. Locals say his hlas (voice) echoes through the trees and can drive you mad if you hear it too long.
🌲 How he gets you: He mimics human voices – sometimes a crying dítě (child), sometimes a desperate call for help. You go to investigate, and… surprise! It’s hejkal, and now you’re lost in the les (forest) forever.
📣 Fun fact: His screams are said to break compasses and disorient even the best houbař (mushroom picker).
🕯️ Bílá Paní – The White Lady of the Haunted Halls
Every proper Czech hrad (castle) or zámek (chateau) has at least one bílá paní – ghostly woman in white who wanders the halls in silence. She’s not always evil, but she’s definitely… intense. Think of her as the Slavic version of your ex who still checks your stories at 2AM.
🏰 How she gets you: She appears in times of distress, sorrow, or massive drama—floating through halls, pausing near windows, or just creeping everyone out. Some say she brings štěstí (luck), others say she’s a warning of death. Either way, she’s not someone you want to bump into at midnight.
🕯️ Survival tip: If you’re visiting a castle and feel a sudden chill, maybe… leave. And don’t follow random flickering lights. Just don’t.
(This pic is AI-generated (what a shocker!), Martin hasn’t created a Bílá paní design so far 😔)
🕸️ Klekanice – The Night Crawler Who Punishes Late Stragglers
You know how your babička (grandma) told you to be home before dark? Yeah, that wasn’t just about manners. That was about Klekanice—a terrifying figure who roams villages at twilight (klekání) in search of anyone still outside.
🌒 How she gets you: As the kostelní zvon (church bell) rings for evening prayer, Klekanice begins her nightly patrol. Children and even adults who aren’t safely home by then are fair game. She hides in shadows, wears raggedy clothes, and may carry a hůl (stick) or sack. Some say she beats, others say she snatches.
🪓 Fun fact: In some stories, she scratches at windows or whispers your name… How very fun!
Final Thoughts: Don’t Linger After Sunset & Avoid Hungry Infants
Whether it’s screaming forest trolls, haunted hallways, or night-stalking old women, Czech folklore is here to make sure you respect your elders, listen to bells, and never wander the woods alone. Especially not with snacks.
But hey—if you learn češtinu (Czech), you might just stand a better chance out there. At least you’ll understand when someone yells “Utíkej!” (Run!).
Check out Part 3, where we uncover even more spine-chilling tales from the depths of Czech folklore. You don’t want to miss what’s lurking in the shadows! 🕯️👻
Pa pa!
