{"id":3085,"date":"2025-10-17T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forte-cultura.network\/?p=3085"},"modified":"2025-11-25T23:35:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T22:35:04","slug":"el-viaje-de-dracula-un-estudio-de-caso-sobre-el-turismo-oscuro-para-familias-en-josefov-republica-checa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forte-cultura.network\/es\/dracula-journey-a-case-study-of-dark-tourism-for-families-in-the-josefov-fic-cz\/","title":{"rendered":"Viaje a Dr\u00e1cula: Estudio de caso de un evento tur\u00edstico familiar en Josefov (CZ)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Author: Tom\u00e1\u0161 Jirouch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn is certainly an exciting time for FORTE CULTURA fortresses \u2013 many of them are preparing public events that blend history, experience, and a touch of mystery. The Dracula Journey<\/strong> is one of the most successful history-oriented events organized in the fortified ideal city Josefov<\/a> (CZ). The event takes place in early November and spans two evenings, capturing the spooky and eerie emotions associated with this time of year. It is the only event conducted exclusively at evening\/night. Although Halloween is not traditionally celebrated in the Czech Republic, the event is inspired by its local counterpart Du\u0161i\u010dky<\/em> (memorial day), a holiday focused on visiting cemeteries and honoring the dead. The concept of the Dracula Journey reflects this tradition by reviving the memory of Josefov\u2019s deceased residents and inspiring figures. All characters are depicted as dead individuals, often with costumes and makeup reflecting their job or manner of death\u2014for example, a woman who was shot might have an appropriate “wound.” The atmosphere in the underground is naturally eerie and unsettling, so the characters do not need to rely on actively scaring the visitors, such as using jump scares. Instead, the event creates a more subtle and immersive “haunted castle” experience that stays true to the historical context of the fortress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The event operates on a pre-registration system, where small groups of up to six people set off on an underground route every five minutes \u2014 without a guide (the path is illuminated by candles and other light sources, creating a mysterious yet safe atmosphere). Before entering the first station, visitors have the opportunity to get a spooky face painting \u2014 something especially popular among children. Each group also receives its own lantern with a candle, adding to the atmosphere and helping them find their way through the underground corridors. The entrance fee is 4 EUR per person<\/strong> (total income making app. 2 600 EUR). While in previous years many groups consisted of adults and teenagers, in recent times the majority of participants have been families with children. Three weeks before the event (2025), 67% of all tickets are already sold out, decreasing costs for event promotion. On the day of the event, it is not possible to purchase tickets on site, as the event is typically fully booked in advance. Occasionally, a single spot may remain available within a six-person slot \u2014 for example, when a family registers with only five members. The ticket revenue covers the costs of the event during its operation days; however, it is also necessary to account for the extensive preparations that begin roughly a month in advance. Even with these additional efforts, the event maintains a fairly good level of economic profitability. The characters are portrayed by permanent guides<\/strong> who work throughout the year for Josefov as classical underground guides on a temporary contract basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Visitor numbers:<\/strong> Since 2022, the event has expanded into a two-day format. The colors in the chart represent different venue locations. At present, the event is hosted in the Bastion I Tourist Area, having previously taken place for four consecutive years at the Ravelin XIV site. Attendance peaked last year, reaching over 600 visitors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Along the route (app. 1 km), stations are evenly distributed throughout the underground corridors. At each station, participants complete small tasks and collect stamps as proof of their achievements, with some rewards at the end (or at the sites). At each station, a character invites you to experience a unique chapter of their life, whether it\u2019s helping them light a candle, find lost treasures, or simply share a moment of their story. Looking back, we can track 55 different stations from previous years, with different tasks, settings, and story lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Characters and Stories<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

The characters are mainly \u201cresurrected\u201d from the Josefov (military) cemetery, with their stories based on information from historical chronicles. While some were well-known in their time, they were not extraordinary figures\u2014ordinary individuals with compelling stories. The characters span different time periods, from the 18th century to the latter half of the 20th century. This mix of everyday people allows visitors to emotionally connect with their stories while learning about Josefov\u2019s history.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, our coordinators search the records for new names<\/strong> to ensure that the stories do not repeat. Repetition of names occurs only rarely, as we draw from a wealth of available historical data. There have been attempts to thematically link the characters, but the event primarily maintains the character of mutually separate storylines. However, all the characters are connected to history of the fortified city. All characters represent people who actually lived in the past, which adds significant qualitative value<\/strong> to the event. This aspect is available to visitors who not only wish to be entertained but also want to learn more about local history<\/strong>. In this way, the event helps to preserve collective memory<\/strong>. In fact, we even received a letter of thanks from the descendants of one of the portrayed individuals, expressing their appreciation that we honor the memory and work of their ancestor. The event\u2019s horror elements stem from the characters\u2019 often tragic deaths, which are accentuated by the extensive underground setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 as an example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a short summary of the characters resurrected for the 2024 Dracula Journey<\/a>, with some intriguing personal touches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Valu\u0161ka Dvo\u0159\u00e1kov\u00e1 <\/strong>\u2013 Symbolic Grave of WWII Victims<\/em>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A twelve-year-old schoolgirl, who tragically died in Josefov from a bullet wound on May 5, 1945, during the last days of WWII. Valu\u0161ka’s spirit guides visitors on their journey, asking them to collect flowers she once saw on her way to school\u2014the very path where she was shot\u2014a haunting reminder of the innocence lost during the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Please bring me flowers… I can’t go back to them now.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Maxmili\u00e1n von Reisinger<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 584, III. Section<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Born on August 11, 1772, Maxmili\u00e1n was a distinguished military leader and the fortress\u2019s commander, remembered for his monumental funeral in 1848, where a black knight in armor led the procession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I was once the fortress commander. Many came to my funeral in 1848. Will you light a candle for me?”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Jan Rumpelmayer<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 48, I. Section<\/em>, portrayed by his wife Kate\u0159ina Rumpelmayerov\u00e1<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stonemason from Bratislava (SK), Jan arrived in Josefov in 1781 to build the fortress. As a later representative and legal advocate for the town, his labor shaped much of the town’s architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We came to build the fortress, and we stayed here. Can you help us break these stones?”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Kate\u0159ina \u0160obrov\u00e1<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 17, IV. Section, 1869\u20131929<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


From a family of gardeners, Kate\u0159ina\u2019s life intertwined with flowers. She loved them so much that they became part of her memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019m from a gardening family. Can you help me sort out these five flowers? Which one is the magnolia, and which is the rose?”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Karel Zelen\u00fd<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 84, III. Section<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


A local photographer, Karel captured the faces of many in Josefov, including battlefields and memorials of the 1866 war. His legacy lives on in his photographs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Welcome to my studio. Let me take your picture. Just sit here and I\u2019ll capture you for eternity.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Karel Dvo\u0159\u00e1k<\/strong> \u2013 Guard, portrayed by his mother Marie Dvo\u0159\u00e1kov\u00e1<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Karel, born October 17, 1852, had a tragic end. His family believed a cursed cross, which he had found as a child, brought misfortune. In 1904, Karel died mysteriously after inhaling vapors from a burned body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am Marie, Karel\u2019s mother. The cursed cross has caused too much pain to our family. Can you help me hide it?”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

K\u00e1tinka Borzagov\u00e1<\/strong> \u2013 Grave of unrequited love, 1807-1827<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


K\u00e1tinka tragically poisoned herself in her young age due to a love unfulfilled; she couldn\u2019t marry her beloved, Lieutenant Famagolli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I waited for him to come, but he never did. My heart still aches… please write me a message, something nice to cheer me up.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Vincenc Kuli\u010d<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 92, II. Section, 1851-1911<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


A humble man who spent his life in the town\u2019s poorhouse, Vincenc saved money from alms and purchased school supplies, which he then gave to local children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I may have been poor, but I still managed to save enough to help children with their studies. Find the supplies I left for you.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Jind\u0159ich Balzar<\/strong> \u2013 Grave no. 74, III. Section, 1879-1947<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


A world-renowned magician and performer, Jind\u0159ich\u2019s career took him across the globe, even to Broadway. His shows were a dazzling spectacle, captivating audiences for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I traveled the world for 40 years, performing magic and mesmerizing audiences. Would you like to see a trick?”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why \u201cDracula\u201d?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only element of this event that does not directly relate to the history of our fortress is its very name \u2014 Dracula<\/em>. The name originated in 2009, when the event was first organized by the local House of Children and Youth, an institution that provides educational activities for children in their free time. The idea for the name Dracula<\/em> emerged naturally from the collective imagination of the organizers, inspired by the general awareness of the original Romanian legend. Of course, in the early years, the event primarily featured supernatural characters such as angels, devils, vampires, robbers, and witches. Real historical figures were gradually introduced along the route, and by 2016, they completely came to dominate the storylines. We continue to respect this traditional name, created within the specific context of an event for children. At the same time, the title Dracula<\/em> has proven to be effective from a marketing perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t
<\/div>\n\t
<\/div>\n\t
<\/div>\n\t
<\/div><\/div>