Night at Karlštejn

The original comedy by Jaroslav Vrchlický, which was later made into a famous film, premiered at the National Theatre in 1884 and soon became very popular. Its fame grew even more after 1973, when Zdeněk Podskalský made a film musical comedy of the same name, which is already part of the golden fund of Czech cinematography. It doesn't matter that the plot, according to which women were not allowed to enter Karlštejn, is just a legend. The charter from 1357, which probably inspired Vrchlický, only states: "We forbid anyone to sleep or lie with any woman, even if she is a lawful wife, in the tower of Karlštejn Castle, in which the chapel is located." The only restriction, therefore, concerned the sacred chapel of the Holy Cross, otherwise the castle was accessible to women. However, popular stories do not have to be based on a true basis. The romantically idealized and humorous story from the life of the father of the country became immortal thanks to the film adaptation with such actors as Vlastimil Brodský, Waldemar Matuška, Miloš Kopecký, Karel Höger, Jana Brejchová and Jaroslav Marvan, for whom the role of the burgrave was his last film work. The audience appeal is also guaranteed by the now popular songs with melodies by Karel Svoboda.