Of the Executioner

On the place where Můstek restaurant stands today, there was a bridge linking Prague’s old and new towns in the Middle Ages. By the bridge stood an inn, which was owned by a beautiful innkeeper. She was admired by a well-known Prague executioner, which was why he was a frequent patron. In addition, excellent mead that was famous throughout Prague was served here. He also usually played the well-known game “vrchcáby” – dice – with his companions here. Once, on the way to the place of execution, which was on the site of today’s Old Town Square, he stopped here. He drank and played. He got so drunk that he missed not only the execution itself, but also lost his executioner’s cap and axe at dice.