Golem of Prague

Maddy Pelling (0:00)

Hello, After Darkers. Now brace yourselves for a public service announcement.

Anthony Delaney (0:04)

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Maddy Pelling (0:20)

There's a lot to digest there, but guys, take a deep breath because there is more. Anthony and I have made two new History Hit TV documentaries.

I have recently made one about London's most notorious haunting, the Cochlein Ghost, based on my new book Hoax that is releasing for Halloween.

Anthony Delaney (0:36)

And I've got one following that about the great Irish Famine, which is coming soon.

Maddy Pelling (0:41)

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Anthony Delaney (0:54)

It's 1590 and we're winding our way through the narrow cobbled streets of Prague. Night has fallen, but the city is alive with activity. A melting pot of cultures and ideas, Prague sits at the heart of Renaissance Europe's fascination with all things mysterious. Alchemists, astrologers and occultists walk its streets searching for secrets hidden beyond the natural world.

In the city's Jewish quarter, a legend is taking shape, quite literally actually, and it will one day become famous worldwide. According to an ancient tale, a guardian brought to life through a powerful ritual, walks the dark streets to protect the innocent and defend the Jewish community from its enemies.

This is the legend of the Golem of Prague. Welcome to After Dark.

Maddy Pelling (2:21)

Hello, and welcome to After Dark. I'm Maddy.

Anthony Delaney (2:24)

And I'm Anthony.

Maddy Pelling (2:24)

And today we're venturing into the winding, narrow cobbled streets of 16th century Prague to discuss the legendary tale of the Golem, the mystical protector of the city's Jewish inhabitants.

Anthony Delaney (2:38)

This is the city I went to on my honeymoon.

Maddy Pelling (2:41)

It's a magic. Do you know, I've never been to Prague. I'm embarrassed to admit that in the company we currently have.

Anthony Delaney (2:45)

Well, well, okay, good segue, because joining us on this is the one and the only, the iconic Eleanor Janega.

Sorry, no drumroll. Absolutely.

Maddy Pelling (2:55)

Powered through that.

Anthony Delaney (2:55)

You know who she is. She's on History Hit's sister podcast, Gone Medieval with Matt Lewis. Eleanor, you're back.

Maddy Pelling (3:03)

Hooray.

Eleanor Janega (3:04)

It takes a whole lot to keep me out of the studio.

Maddy Pelling (3:07)

She's constantly here when we're recording.

Eleanor Janega (3:08)

We're like, leave us alone.

Anthony Delaney (3:11)

Even when she's not contributing, she's here.

Eleanor Janega (3:13)

In many ways, oh, foreshadowing, I'm like, your own personal Golem. Oh, see how you think she's useful until she won't stop coming back.

Anthony Delaney (3:22)

But you do need to go to Prague. And can I suggest going January to March? It was so cold, our phones wouldn't work.

Maddy Pelling (3:29)

I love a January holiday. I always go to the Cornish coast in January. Like, I love it. Nobody speak to me. I don't want to see anybody. I want there to be storms and stuff.

I will do a city break in January, but it needs to be the right vibes.

Eleanor Janega (3:41)

January, like, Zimmy and Lepchir. It's snow, it's goulash.

Maddy Pelling (3:46)

It's amazing.

Eleanor Janega (3:47)

Little bit of a fan myself of Prostky Podchim, as we say, so Prague autumn is like a thing. Also, don't tell anyone, she says, into a podcast, right?

Anthony Delaney (3:56)

Yes, don't tell the people.

Eleanor Janega (3:58)

Go in August, it's fine. You'll have so much fun.

Anthony Delaney (4:03)

But I was having this with, okay, we will get to the topic. I was having this, saying this to Maddy, as we were going on our lunch break today, I was like, you know, where is so not chic now? And it used to be Cotswolds. Do you know where is chic? And I know I'm biased saying this Yorkshire. But don't tell people.

Maddy Pelling (4:19)

Yorkshire has always been chic, thank you very much.

Anthony Delaney (4:20)

It's true. It's true. But yeah, you're not supposed to. People aren't supposed to. No, don't tell people now.

Maddy Pelling (4:23)

It's like Northumberland. I've been going to Northumberland since the 90s.

Anthony Delaney (4:25)

Don't tell people about Northumberland. It's my place.

Maddy Pelling (4:28)

I go every year. Why are there other people on Bamber Beach? If you've been on Bamber Beach this summer, you're not welcome there.

Anthony Delaney (4:33)

Get off. It's my beach. What are you doing? I do have a tourist in there.