Clutching a chipped beer stein, Old Man František squinted at the setting sun over Vrůž. “Another day,” he muttered, “another story.” Vrůž, a small village nestled near Beroun, whispers tales of resilience. The first written record of Vrůž dates back to 1320. Tied to the fate of Karlštejn Castle, Vrůž prospered and suffered alongside its grand neighbor. Imagine Vrůž in 1421, caught in the fiery chaos of the Hussite Wars. The village endured, only to face another devastating blow in 1639 when the Swedish army, during the Thirty Years’ War, reduced much of it to ashes. Few inhabitants remained, yet Vrůž, like a stubborn weed, pushed through the charred earth and rebuilt. Today, Vrůž boasts a population of around 1,300, a testament to its enduring spirit. The Church of Saint Bartholomew stands as a proud symbol of this resilience. This Gothic structure, originally from the first half of the 14th century, underwent modifications in 1909 and 1910, blending the old with the new, much like Vrůž itself. Vrůž’s location, a mere 4 kilometers from Beroun and 17 kilometers southwest of Prague, places it in the heart of Bohemian history. Straddling the Hořovice Uplands and the Křivoklát Highlands, the village’s highest point reaches 435 meters above sea level. Even the origin of its name, Vrůž, holds a touch of mystery. Some believe it comes from the Slavic word “vrag,” meaning “depression” or “gorge.” As the shadows lengthen and the last light fades over Vrůž, one can’t help but admire the tenacity of this small village, a place that has weathered storms and emerged stronger each time. František takes a long swig of his beer. “Vrůž,” he says with a wink, “it’s a survivor.”
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to