Prague's Dirty Secrets - The Truth about one of the Most Romantic Cities in Europe

Summary

In this engaging video, Valery, a licensed guide, takes viewers on an offbeat tour of Prague, uncovering its hidden history of prostitution. While the city is known for its romantic image, Valery explores the less glamorous side of Prague's past, where brothels were once commonplace. From medieval brothels to infamous locations frequented by historical figures, the video highlights how prostitution shaped the city's streets. Valery also delves into the bureaucratic and social impacts of the profession, providing a unique perspective on Prague's darker history, while encouraging viewers to subscribe and support the channel.

Takeaways

• 🌹 Prague is widely regarded as a romantic destination, known for its cozy streets, hidden passages, and scenic spots perfect for couples and photography.
• 🗺️ Beyond romance, Prague has a rich history of sex work, with numerous brothels operating since the Middle Ages.
• 🏰 Areas like 'Prague Venice' and Ungelt played significant roles in medieval commerce and hosted brothels alongside merchants and trade activities.
• 🚪 Many brothels had escape passages and offered varying levels of luxury, with some rooms styled in Turkish, Japanese, and Persian themes.
• 📜 Prostitution was heavily regulated over time, requiring medical check-ups and registration with police, reflecting the bureaucracy of the period.
• 🎭 Famous historical figures, including Franz Ferdinand and Otto von Bismarck, were known to visit Prague brothels, showing the high-profile clientele of the time.
• 💔 The story of Tonka Šibenice illustrates the precarious life of high-class courtesans, including their sudden fall due to association with criminal activity.
• 💶 Prostitution could be financially lucrative, sometimes offering income comparable to professional salaries of the era.
• ⚖️ Laws against prostitution were introduced in 1922, pushing the industry underground, and during communist times, sex work was illegal and considered 'unemployment.'
• 🕊️ Modern Prague still preserves historical memory of sex workers, including memorials for those who suffered or died, highlighting a complex and often hidden part of the city’s history.
• 📹 The video encourages viewers to support local guides by subscribing and liking the channel, while providing a mix of historical insight and contemporary travel tips.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Valery's guided tour in Prague?

Valery's tour focuses on the hidden and historical aspects of Prague, particularly its history of prostitution, brothels, and notable figures associated with these locations, contrasting the city's romantic image with its more secretive past.

What was the area called 'Prague Venice' known for in the Middle Ages?

Prague Venice was an area filled with brothels in the Middle Ages, which was later demolished and transformed into a monastery and a chapel.

What is Ungelt, and what role did it play in medieval Prague?

Ungelt is a courtyard whose name comes from the word 'tariff.' It was used by medieval merchants to weigh and tax their goods and also hosted a few brothels, making it a mix of commerce and leisure activities.

How were brothels regulated in Prague starting from the late 19th century?

Prostitutes had to undergo regular medical check-ups and register with the police, ensuring health compliance and formal recognition of their profession, which involved significant bureaucracy.

Can you name some famous brothels and their unique features mentioned in the video?

Chapeau Rouge, which had Romanesque basements and historical significance; U Cerveneho Pava (Gogo), a luxurious brothel with rooms in Turkish, Japanese, and Persian styles; and U Spirku, known for the famous prostitute Tonka Sibenice.

Which historical figures are mentioned as having visited Prague brothels?

Charles IV, Franz Ferdinand D’Este, and German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck are mentioned. Bismarck allegedly engraved the name of his favorite prostitute, Milada, with a diamond ring in a room at Gogo.

Who was Tonka Sibenice, and why is she notable in Prague's history?

Tonka Sibenice was Prague's most famous courtesan whose career ended abruptly when she was asked to attend a serial killer, Ferdinand Prokupek. Her life inspired literature, theater plays, and films.

How did the economic aspects of prostitution compare to other professions at the time?

Prostitutes could earn 15–30 CZK per night, which was comparable to the hourly salary of a university professor, indicating that the profession could be quite lucrative.

What changes occurred to prostitution in Czechoslovakia in 1922?

President Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and his wife Charlotte passed a law against prostitution, which drove the sex-selling business underground, making it illegal but still persisting secretly.

How did prostitution function during the communist era in Prague?

During communist times, prostitution was not considered a legal profession, so sex workers were technically unemployed. The profession continued underground, often in dangerous locations such as Perlova Street, where a memorial now honors the 'fallen women.'

Why did many women from the countryside move to Prague to work in prostitution?

Rural women faced severe lack of job opportunities and sought anonymity and safety in the city, making prostitution an attractive means of earning a livelihood.

What psychological explanation is offered in the video for the demand for prostitutes?

The video references the Madonna-Whore complex as a factor in why many men sought the services of prostitutes, though Valery notes that Sigmund Freud analyzed this better and doesn’t go into full psychoanalysis.