Documentaries on European Cities

Stories of tragic loves, ghosts, mythological beings, foundational myths, supernatural facts, folk tales. You may or may not believe, but traveling to these destinations has a lot to do with it.

“They say that once,” this is how the stories that make us travel with the imagination usually begin. Once pronounced, anything is possible: curses, heroes, ghosts, passionate loves many of these narratives, in addition to taking us to a legendary time and space, can serve us to know real places. In fact, there are many cities with legends.

Legends are often tales of traditional cut that pass from generation to generation. They are transmitted orally and are used to combining a historical fact with supernatural elements. They send teachings and beliefs, but above all, they amuse us. That is why we packed our bags and marked the cities of Europe with the fascinating legends on our maps.

Did Teruel’s lovers exist? Is there a ghost at the Paris Opera? Can there be a cursed watch? Did Romeo and Juliet live in Verona? You may or may not believe these stories; but the truth is that they make us travel and, as they say, “all this was true, and it may not have happened.”

  1. Romeo and Juliet in Verona

On the 23rd via Cappello in Verona is the home of Juliet, the protagonist alongside Romeo of the tragedy of William Shakespeare. This is what popular belief says and tourists arriving in this Italian town leave letters to Juliet. The sculpture faces the balcony, which served as the stage for one of the most famous scenes in history. They say you play to find true love in life. No one knows whether it is true or not; but, as the wear of bronze attests, no one returns without first fulfilling tradition just in case.

  1. The Legend of the Prague clock

The symbol of the city of Prague hides a terrible secret. The famous astronomical clock of the seductive capital of the Czech Republic is an artistic jewel conceived by master clockmaker Hanuš and his assistant, in 1490. The town councilors were so proud of the watch that they wanted to make sure Hanuš would not build such a watch again, so they burned his eyes. He, sometime later, took revenge on such cruelty by placing his hand into the clock mechanism. The watchmaker bled to death as the gears stopped. Since then, according to legend, every time the clock stops, a tragedy happens in Prague.

  1. Lisbon and its mythical Foundation

The capital of Portugal was founded by the Phoenicians. But not according to legend, which makes Lisbon Greek. According to Greek mythology, Ulysses founded the city after his return from the Trojan War. The Greeks knew Lisbon as Olissipo. Legend has it that when Ulysses departed again, Orphiussa, who was in love with the hero, became enraged in such a way that furious shook the Earth forming the seven hills of the city.

  1. The ghost of the Paris Opera

The monumental building of the Opera Garnier, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, is the scene of a famous legend that appeared in 1910 with the publication of the Gothic novel by the writer Gaston Leroux, “The Phantom of the Opera”. The ghost is a great musician who hides due to the deformity he suffers but falls in love with the young star Christine Daaé, in turn in love with the count of Chagny. The story is a sum of tragedies, accidents, duels and deaths, which curiously are based on tragic news that took place at the Garnier Palace, inaugurated in 1875, which the writer compiled.

  1. The Warsaw mermaid

Warsaw is defended by a mermaid. A legend explains how the capital of Poland has such a singular defender. Turns out many years ago, two sirens sisters went out to see the world. One of them continued to travel to Copenhagen. But the other stayed in Warsaw. They say it freed the fish from the nets of the fishermen. They were very angry; but when they wanted to capture her, the mermaid sang with such beautiful songs that the fishermen fell in love with her. But one day, a merchant captured her and took her away to display in the markets in exchange for money. The mermaid cried so much that the sailors of Warsaw were able to locate her and save her from the cruel merchant. In return, she promised that she would always defend the city with her sword. That’s why it appears on the Warsaw shield.

  1. Dracula and Transylvania

Vlad Tepes is the bloodthirsty Prince of Wallachia, in southern Romania. His Black legend, which executed his enemies with the penalty of impalement, inspired the gothic writer Bram Stoker, who made him Count Dracula. Different scenery, buildings, and landscapes of Transylvania are visited by tourists attracted by the famous legend of the Cursed bloodbath. Specifically, Bram Castle, near Braşov, is a national monument and one of the critical points of the Dracula route.

  1. The Crows of the Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the tours essential London. It is a historic castle next to the Thames in the centre of the city, which has been key in the history of England. In fact, the continuity of England is linked to the Tower of London. In particular, there are particular inhabitants of it: The Crows. According to legend, a prophecy indicates that there must always be at least six crows in the tower; otherwise, the monarchy will disappear. Since then, seven crows have been taken care of in the Tower of London (one more as a precaution).

  1. The ghosts of Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is one of Europe’s most legendary cities. Above all, legends that have to do with beings from beyond: ghosts, witches and other creatures from beyond the grave. Have various routes through the city in search of the essential ghosts, such as Guthrie, and haunted houses and disturbing cemeteries. Even Edinburgh Castle has its own Ghost, The Headless drummer. They say that it is likely that by looking carefully at your photographs you will take some or other ghostly surprise.

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