De Mysteriis Dom Josefov

1. Bastion I. and the underground
Where else to start than in… underground. That in Josefov is considered one of the largest underground defense systems in Europe. During the guided tours you will learn more about the story of the whole fortress city, admire original statues from the work of Matyáš Bernard Braun, residential casemates, or enjoy an impressive sight from the top of the main fortification wall.

2. Archery
It’s one of the oldest musical instruments in the world and most important mankind inventions as well. A bow. We are more familiar with it as hunting or sport weapon and right the latter one we would like to bring closer to you. Take this paleolithic gadget into your hands and use the opportunity to try yourself to shoot at 3 targets. And also find out, whether there is still circulating your ancient ancestor’s blood in your veins.

3. Historic blacksmithery
Here you will feel a breath of black craft, which dates back to Austro-Hungarian monarchy at this site. Part of the workshop’s equipment comes from that era, which saw local blacksmithery as an artillery service during fortress’ golden times. And a devilish forge here is home to local craftsman Jan Šramar, always ready to perform a practical show of his skills.

4. Model of the fortress
You know what? Try to guess, how long has taken the author to build this model of the fortress! It covers an area of 34,2 m2, it’s made on a scale of 1:300, main used material is polystyrene coated with a cast and it depicts Josefov at its peak around the year 1850. Model´s constructor Vladimír Jirouš polished it into perfection for exactly 4 years, 4 months and 25 days! Wow...

5. Tractor museum
Even these agricultural dinosaurs used to stay within walls of the fortress, inside Bastion IX. As for now the Mr. Pultar´s collection of over twenty rare pieces from a depth of the last century is having home elsewhere. Which illustrates the only thing: despite its museum age they are still mobile and operational! Their owner will be very pleased to guide you through the exposition.

6. Museum of army history
All notable war conflicts of world´s history well-arranged at one site. From Austria-Hungary over Operation Anthropoid to recent war in former Yugoslavia. At Josefov´s museum of army history you will find more than 30.000 showpieces. His organizer Miroslav Frost built it in honour of his father, who was a war victim himself...

7. Municipal museum
Inside a building of former provisions office for Josefov´s fortress you can come across not only charted historic development of the city, but for example also 6 meters long exhibit of wooden bark from 11th century or current exposition of gems, originating as far as to primeval ages. Walk one floor down and you will be stunned, how large and brilliantly filled gallery you can meet in the middle of Josefov...

8. Legionnaire museum
Just to walk past this stylised-facade house will get you involved. You will find yourself in the 1st world war, with a modern way treated exhibition awaits you in the interior. It depicts legionnaires´ contribution to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state. Stories of fifteen of those heroes are finalized for example with their uniforms, but above all superbly interpreted by a sensational comics.

9. Socrealistic mosaics
A ghost place, suggestive mute witness of the death. A former army hospital, that hosted dying soldiers from battles over three centuries, is preserved in time. Since the beggining of the 1990s, when it was left by Russians, it remains intact. And without filmmakers it would be also abandoned. You can still see writings in Cyrillic on walls there, same you can´t miss two huge mosaics at the main entrance. Would you take a selfie with that horrible social realism „art“ and share it on your instagram? #brutalretro

10. Brutal Assault backstage
This is the place, where we make ready that massive load for you year after year. Take a walk through the Brutal Assault backstage and try to put yourself in a place of Slayer, Motörhead, Emperor and other monsters of the metal scene, who were having a changing room over there, here they were enjoying a beer and this way they used to reach the stage. At the same time we will open for you an upper floor of deserted barracks, where soldiers used to stay once, but throughout a festival it´s a squat site for instance for those, who are tapping a beer for you.

11. Bastion IV.
A harbour for contemporary Josefov´s artists. Petr Novák from Jaroměř has here sculptures of women and horses, opposite of there, inside a former gunpowder store, you can admire pottery, paintings, but also design furniture made out of water pipes. Father and son Paďours boast with their workshop full of animal woodcarvings and one floor above them sink into the waters of photography art. At this moment you are heading to toy museum – Merkur and other legends will definitely give you a throwback to your childhood!

12. Bastion X., IX. a XIV. *
There are still parts of the fortress, you have yet to explore. You will for instance discover an impressive exhibition of the former army hospital, situated in the building above this year´s festival main gate. From there the guide will take you to the octagon, whose cool spaces are occupied by historic cannons this year instead of signing sessions fans, and you will end up in fortress on a green meadow enjoying beautifully photographically interpreted transformation of an army fortress to a festival site.

13. Insania underground *
These underground corridors are hiding a surprise every time. Last year a madman was scaring you with a chain saw there, this time around walk through a darkness will get more intimate. We placed to fortress niches some unique graphics from fresh epic book Kacířův kancionál by Insania, crossover band from Brno. Its multimedial face will add a new dimension to this mysterious space. It requires only the right mobile app…

14. Speedcarving *
Come to watch incredible skills of woodcarving team led by local master Jan Paďour jr. Each of its members can within only an hour transform rough timber into a statue of a mythical person or a horse e.g., using a chain saw. The show starts on both festival days at 2 PM and will be followed by auction sale, so you can get those newly made pieces of Josefov craft maybe as a centerpiece of your garden.

15. Esplanade
There goes approximately 4 kilometers long roundtrip esplanade, winding around the entire fortress. It offers outstanding views of fortification walls as well as festival site. Hire a bike from us at the start of the whole esplanade, go for a ride using a comfortable park path and experience Josefov from the bicycle saddle. Or take a relaxed walk holding a cooled drink in your hand. Ideal workout ahead of night shows!

16. Quiz *
The finale of the whole path De Mysteriis Dom Josefov. There will be a quiz held for a 20 busiest stamp collectors at the end (Saturday, 3 PM) at Bastion X. It will test your knowledge of the past and present of your favourite festival. For the best out of you we have Brutal Assault prizes and the one, who will pass a bundle of 30 questions with the best score, will get a free ticket to the next year´s BA edition!

* Entry allowed only with the valid festival wristband

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