The Plague Doctor of Prague

4.9 (149 reviews) 1 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

149 reviews

4.9

The Plague Doctor of Prague — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Plague Doctor of Prague, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Private and Luxury Historical Tours Walking Tours Likely to Sell Out Culture Excellent Quality Likely To Sell Out Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–20
Guide: German, Portuguese, English, Spanish
Operated by: Night Watchman of Prague

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: The knowledge that you survived. Alexandr Schamsky was not so lucky.
Included: A sniff of lavender oil - used by nobles to prevent plague and mask a year of not bathing.
Included: A professional, licensed guide who is genuinely enthusiastic about medieval medical disasters
Included: A group photo with your plague doctor at the end of the tour
Included: A tour featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Forbes.
Included: Five root causes of the plague, explained with props, pictures and questionable medical advice
Included: 90 minutes of time travel with your personal plague doctor in full authentic historical costume
Included: A tasting of the legendary anti-plague pill - sugar-based, vegan, much safer than the original.

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

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.
Klementinum

10 min

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.
Marianske Namesti

10 min

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.
Old Town Square

5 min

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.
Church of Saint Simon and Jude

15 min

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.
National Gallery Prague - Convent of St. Agnes

15 min

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Our meeting point is Seminářská 2, 110 00, Prague 1, directly next to the entrance of Hotel Aurus. You should be able to find us - we have a big bag and are dressed a bit differently than others :-)

End point

If needed we are happy to help you to get back to the Old Town Square.
The our finishes at the convent of St. Agnes

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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

Options

The Plague Doctor of Prague
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