In the footsteps of Medieval the film

The first take was done on 17 September 2018, after eight years of thorough preparations, in the Velká Amerika quarry, while additional filming was also captured in other quarries of the Czech Karst: Malá Amerika, Homolák and Na Chlumu. The last quarry is the only one accessible to the public, but it is still worth visiting the Czech Karst, where you can look forward to a unique scenic experience!

Put on your hiking boots and walk the yellow trail that leads along the former limestone quarry known as Velká Amerika or the Czech Grand Canyon. It continues to the Malá Amerika quarry and its crystal clear water, and then all the way to the famous castle of Karlštejn. And what if you are not too interested in Karlštejn and want to continue in the footsteps of the film? Follow the yellow trail that will take you close to the former Homolák quarry near the Koněprusy Caves.

Central Bohemia is royal! The hunting lodge of King Wenceslas IV, as well as the castle of Henry of Rosenberg, was presented in the film thanks to Točník Castle, which forms the largest Czech castle compound together with Žebrák. As like the castle of Rosenberg, Kokořín Castle, surrounded with deep forests and situated on a sandstone rock promontory above the Kokořín valley, was also used. It dates back to the mid-14th century. After you have toured the interiors, don’t miss out on the surroundings as well. The marked Mácha Trail will take you to the unique Kokořín pokličky rocks, and you can ponder about which eye Žižka was missing when walking there. Historians are still not sure about that.

Many famous rulers, but also stars walked through the Křivoklát royal castle and former hunting lodge. Křivoklát represented the Prague Castle, as well as the castle of King Sigismund in the film. Go on a tour and discover that it experienced its golden era, for example, under the rule of Vladislaus II, who had it rebuilt in the flamboyant Jagiellonian Gothic style and turned it into one of the most ostentatious royal residences in Central Europe. It even guarded the crown jewels during the Hussite Wars for some time.

The natural locations, forests and caves were also crucial in the decision to make the film in the Czech Republic. Explore film sites such as Mount Plešivec in Brdy. Local caves used as refuge for film rebels appear on the screen and later on TV.

Hike the “Olympus of Brdy”, as Plešivec is called, and admire the surrounding rocks with stone seas and a rocking stone, scenic vistas and a lake, as well as a hillfort from the Bronze Age. The hill is about 700 metres high, rising above Litavka between Jinec, Hořovice and Hostomice, and has a lot to offer to tourists. If you have strong legs or a mountain bike prepared for a climb, you can follow the seventeen-kilometre-long educational From Jince to Olympus of Brdy loop trail. The trail will take you through the town of Jince with a château and metallurgical history, Křešín with the Na Horách natural monument protecting a steppe with thermophilic plants, Rejkovice and Plešivec itself.

You can continue exploring nature, both known and unknown, in Průhonice Park. Walk all the way to its remote parts, where you might have never been. This is where the film-makers went and took a liking to.

There’s no Prague like Prague! The film Prague comes from Kolín: Jan Žižka was shot inside and around the beautiful St. Bartholomew Cathedral, the dominant feature of Kolín. The area has been recently reconstructed and in addition to the cathedral built by Petr Parléř, you can also look forward to the mysterious ossuary, a bell tower with objects from the cathedral treasury, an old parish school as well as an aromatic herb garden.

The last scenes of the film were shot in nearby Nymburk, where the unique underwater scenes in an artificial cave were shot in a pool in December 2018.

Our trip along Central Bohemian towns is not yet over as we also visit Čáslav, ‘Žižka’s town’. It wasn’t a great fit for the film-makers, but there are many landmarks reminding us that the commander of the Hussites frequently stayed here. His monument stands at the centre of Žižka Square, and it is also home to Žižka’s gate, Žižka’s hall and Žižka’s orchard, which lies on the site of the former Žižka’s barracks. The commander is depicted as one of the speakers of the Tábor Hussites participating in the Čáslav assembly in a large fresco on one of the houses in Mahen Street.

The heart of the Jan Žižka film is Michael Caine, a famous Hollywood actor, holder of two Oscars, who plays the fictitious character of Mr Borš, the right hand of King Wenceslas IV and a fighter for the rights of the common people. The Hussite commander is played by Ben Foster. Henry of Rosenberg, performed by famous German actor Tie Schweiger, is also an important character that influences history as well as the events in the film. The main female character is played by Sophie Lowe, an Australian actress and singer. Englishman William Moseley plays Žižka’s brother Jaroslav, and the antagonist Torak is performed by Dane Roland Møller.

Among the most important Czech actors you will see Karel Roden and Ondřej Vetchý, Jan Budař, Marek Vašut, Ben Cristovao and many others in the film. The film also includes attractive names from the world of sports such as Roman Šebrle and David Svoboda.

The film will also be shown abroad and, therefore, two language versions and trailers are available. You can see them in the original version with subtitles, or with Czech dubbing performed, in addition to the actors on the screen, by Petr Lněnička, Nina Horáková, Martin Stránský, Michal Dlouhý, Václav Rašilov and others.