Myths of the Western Slavs

Embark on a journey like Geralt of Rivia, facing daring adventures in the fairytale lands of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia! The Western Slavs - Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, Kashubs, Sorbs - preserve ancient legends in their memory, where echoes... of old pagan beliefs intertwine with Christian legends in a whimsical manner. Welcome to the heart of Europe, where in the shadows of ancient groves, forest spirits and 'wild people' lurk, where water spirits rule the river bends and under mill wheels, and at noon, the fearsome noon witch emerges in the harvest fields.
You will learn why you should never respond to the cry of the heykal and whether the wandering souls of poachers are dangerous, how to deal with the capricious water spirit that has settled in the well, or the drowned one who approached you at night in the swamp, and also meet more friendly creatures from the Western Slavic bestiary - the forest nymphs, who will show you a berry or mushroom clearing, and the eerie yet peace-loving bожонки.
In the cities, you will hear legends about the Wawel Dragon, defeated by a brave tailor, and the bandit Henrike, who became one with the wall of St. John's Cathedral in Wrocław, about the wizard Pan Twardowski, who had dealings with the devil, and about the devil from Lublin, who turned out to be more honest than many people. On the pages of this book, ancient gods come to life - Perun, Veles, Morana - and the heroes of familiar childhood tales: 'The Twelve Months', 'King Drozdoborod', 'The Scarlet Flower', and 'Three Nuts for Cinderella'. And colorful and black-and-white illustrations will transport you to a fairytale world where you can feel like a hero of fantasy: a wandering witcher, a sorceress, a bard, a princess, or a student-alchemist!
The "Myths of the World: The Most Enchanting Stories of Humanity" series will introduce you to captivating tales from different countries and peoples. This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of other cultures and expand your horizons. Witness epic battles of gods, mysterious rituals, and legendary heroes!