The deep canyon of the Ohře River in the granite massif between Loket and Doubí at the northern edge of the Slavkovský Forest is one of the most beautiful natural areas of the Karlovy Vary Region. It contains a number of rock formations, among which the Svatošské Rocks stand out.The rock town, towering above the left bank of the river to a height of up to 50 m, has been a popular excursion destination for Karlovy Vary spa guests since the mid-19th century. It is surrounded by many legends about Jan Svatoš. According to some, as a mortal, he betrayed a water nymph and she cursed him and his entire procession on his wedding day. According to others, he was in league with the devil, and when his chosen one rejected him, he cursed her entire wedding procession and was himself swallowed up by the roaring waters of the Ohře River.
Svatošské skály. End of the 19th century
Downstream from the suspension bridge over the Ohře, there are stone Capuchins, Altars, Bride and Groom, Father, Witnesses, Musicians, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and Castle. During the Romantic period, the story inspired many artists to create literary and dramatic depictions (J. W. Goethe, T. Körner, Ch. H. Spiess, E. A. Mužík, the brothers J. and W. Grimm). Jindřich Marschner tells the legend of Jan Svatoš in his most famous opera Hans Heiling, which was performed at the Berlin Court Opera in 1833. The story also influenced the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, who was in Karlovy Vary for treatment several times. The uniqueness of the rock formation is evidenced by the fact that it was declared a nature reserve in 1933. It now has the status of a national natural monument.
The composition "Hans Heiling" (Jan Svatoš) is considered a key work of romantic opera. It made Heinrich Marschner one of the leading opera composers of his time. From 1831, Marschner was the royal court bandmaster in Hanover, before that he was the music director in Dresden and bandmaster in Leipzig. The most famous melody from the overture to the opera "Hans Heiling" can be found in Antonín Dvořák's 9th Symphony "From the New World", which premiered in New York in 1893. Dvořák thus commemorated Marschner and his work after sixty years.
Photo 1: Svatošské skály in a painting from 1830
Photo 2: Svatošské skály National Natural Monument
Photo 3: Petrified wedding procession. A legend captured on a period postcard