A House of Templars and Alchemy

Until the previous century, one of Plzeň’s most historic houses, known as the Říha House, stood on the site of today’s buildings nos. 338–339, on the western side of the square at the corner of Prešovská Street. It was supposedly built by the Knights Templar. A White Lady appeared there after midnight, and several treasures were said to be hidden inside. An alchemist once lived and worked there, allegedly making gold with the Devil’s assistance. One day he was found dead among his retorts, with a scorched band around his neck. The same house supposedly concealed another treasure, guarded by an ingeniously constructed mechanical skeleton carrying a scythe. The device was intended to frighten off potential robbers.