Four Musketeers from Czechia put on a stunning show at the Olympics

Just like Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan, Alexander Dumas’ famous musketeers, four Czech fencers have made their mark not in literary but in sporting history. Their fantastic performance won them a team bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Congratulations to the Czech athletes on their tremendous success that has immediately been dubbed the Czech Musketeer Nagano, referring to the sensational victory of Czech hockey players at the 1998 Olympics.

Czech d'Artagnan

Czech Olympic Committee (3x)

En garde, this doesn't happen often! Jiří Beran, Jakub Jurka, Martin Rubeš and Michal Čupr fought their way to a sensational bronze in the fencing team competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite being far from the favourites. The role of the fearless d'Artagnan, who can win even the almost unwinnable, was played by Jakub Jurka, a member of the famous Czech fencing family from Olomouc.

In addition to competing at the highest level, the Czech Olympic medalists are also involved in historical fencing. Mediaeval shows are held every year at some of Czechia’s most beautiful chateaus and castles, usually to accompany period fairs and festivals.

If you want to taste a real authentic knightly atmosphere, head to the beautiful chateau of Konopiště. Not far from Prague, it took on its present form during the era of Franz Ferdinand d'Este, heir to the Austrian throne. This popular event, which attracts a host of visitors, not only history lovers, is packed with music, theatre, entertainment sword-fighting and fencing, and takes place on the evening of 24 August 2024. Played out under the light of old lamps, this is a truly magical experience.

Where to visit in Czechia for fencing festivals

The 14th Battle of Jemnice will take place on 9-10 August 2024 in the chateau park in Jemnice, where hundreds of swordsmen will take to the battlefield. This year they’ll take you back to the 10th century, a time when England as we know it today was divided into several kingdoms. The event will culminate in a fiery gala evening.

At the same time, the Historical Festival will be held on 10 August in Kolín. The main theme this year is the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte and the elegance of the Empire period. In addition to sword-fighting performances, you can also enjoy jugglers, dancing and music. A military camp from the early 19th century will even be pitched in the adjacent park.

During the same weekend, 10 August 2024, the fencing legends will perform at Hukvaldy Castle. Hukvaldy is one of the most extraordinary places in Czechia’s eastern region. The famous composer Leoš Janáček was born there, the region is crossed by the Amber Biking Route, and there are some interesting technical heritage sites nearby in the Ostrava region.

Knightly tournaments are held regularly until the end of October (depending on the weather) in the chateau resort in Dětenice, where you can also dine in the authentically period restaurant. And finally, one more treat from Kadaň, which will host the Emperor's Day on 24 August 2024. The most important cultural event in the town, which lies about an hour's drive from the spa triangle in Czechia’s western region, commemorates the arrival of Emperor Charles IV, father of Prague and the Czech lands.

What's next?

The Olympics are here: Czechs are already scoring

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