The Plague Doctor of Prague
Description
In 1713, the plague returned to Prague. Most doctors suddenly remembered urgent business elsewhere. Alexandr Schamsky, 28 and apparently missing that survival instinct, stayed — treated patients, documented the chaos, somehow lived to tell the tale. Three centuries later, follow his exact footsteps with a guide in full plague doctor costume: beaked mask, hooded cloak, leather bag and all. In 90 minutes you'll hear five competing theories on what caused the plague, taste a (modern, harmless) anti-plague pill, smell historic lavender oil and pass one of Europe's oldest hospitals - emerging with nothing worse than a newfound suspicion of avocados. Real history. Real character. Zero actual plague. Featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes. Suitable for all ages.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your plague doctor outside the beautifully decorated House of the Golden Well, built in 1715 to celebrate the end of the plague. Make the acquaintance of Alexandr Schamsky, learn about the plague saints Sebastian and Rochus, and find out why three litres of garlic beer a day was considered solid medical advice.
Step into one of Prague's most atmospheric courtyards - just 20 metres from the tourist crowds but feeling like a different century entirely. Learn how the rich escaped the plague (they always do), how ordinary families were locked inside their own homes by armed night watchmen, and how Schamsky ended up becoming a doctor against all odds.
Get acquainted with the two types of plague - bubonic and pneumonic - including symptoms, survival rates and the surprisingly avocado-like nature of a bubo. Meet the plague doctor's costume up close, including the famous beaked mask and its rather pungent air filtration system.
Discover why the Jewish community of Prague fared significantly better during the plague - and what that tells us about hygiene, fresh water and the dangers of throwing garbage out of windows. Also a brief encounter with Kafka, who, like the plague, appears everywhere in Prague whether you want him to or not.
Pass by the oldest active hospital in Europe and meet another forgotten hero: Celestine Opitz, the surgeon who performed the first successful surgery under full anaesthesia in 1847. The patient woke up, everyone celebrated, and then the patient died. But still - progress. Learn about the rat flea, Yersinia Pestis, and receive your anti-plague pill.
End your journey at the serene 13th century convent where Prague's very first plague cases were reported. Learn about alternative medieval medicine, why lavender kept the fleas away, and what ultimately happened to Alexandr Schamsky. The tour closes with a group photo and a poem - part medieval, part metal band, entirely unforgettable.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(137)
It was a very entertaining tour. I did this in English with Maria ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!
Super entertaining with a nice guide. Having a dog with us was also not a problem. The 1.5 hours flew by.
Very informative. Smaller group and not too much walking. Great value. Maria was our guide and would recommend highly
Guide was very knowledgeable and made the subject matter fun. It was a very unique tour, learned a lot.
The tour was fascinating and our guide, Thomas, was very interesting and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone going to Prague, if they're interested in the darker side of history.
Marie was enthusiastic, informative and engaging throughout our tour. She was very knowledgeable about the Plague, the history behind the causes and how the population dealt with the problem. Although the subject was about a sad time in history Marie kept the tour intriguing and fun with some props and group questions. This tour was a unique way to see some parts of Prague that might not be include on other tours. I definitely recommend it!
If you are interested in the Middle Ages, especially the plague, you should accompany the plague doctor David on his tour, we were told excitingly, even the teens were satisfied.
Hallo Fabienne, Es freut uns zu hören, dass ihr eine gute Zeit mit eurem Pestarzt in eurer kleinen privaten Gruppe hattet. Super, dass es auch den Teenies gefallen hat. Herzliche Grüße aus Prag, eure Prager Pestärzte
Very interesting tour, well done, time flew by, all questions were allowed and could be answered.
Hallo Gaby, herzlichen Dank für eine tolle Bewertung und auch für die Fragen in unserer Tour. Eine schöne Zeit euch und hoffentlich bis bald in Prag, eure Pestärzte und Nachtwächter
My ten year old and I really enjoyed this journey into the past. It was very enjoyable and Maria was a delightful guide, very friendly and fun. We can highly recommend this tour
Hello Shelly, Thanks so much for your kind review and your recommendation. We are pleased that you and your child had a great time with Maria as your plague doctor. We wish you well and hope to see you again in Prague some day in the future. Your plague doctors
Maria was excellent. We knew nothing about the plague but we left like experts. Maria took us to places off the normal tourist trail. Wonderful guide, very friendly and informative.
Hi James, Thanks a lot for such a great review. Glad to hear that we have more plague experts by now and we wish you a plague free traveling time. All the best from Prague, your plague doctors
