Discover the Enchantment of the Celtic Telegraph
Have you ever been captivated by the sight of huge fires ignited gradually on the mountain tops of Middle-earth, which were featured in the third movie of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings? That’s very similar to how The Celtic Telegraph works, which features bright signals that are lit every year on the evening of the last Saturday in March to transmit messages from one location to another along established paths across the countryside. By doing this, the modern Celts celebrate spring and symbolically connect the regions of Czechia and Slovakia, echoing the memories of ancient inhabitants of central Europe.
This year, on the special date of Saturday, March 22, 2025, supporters of the Celtic Telegraph will gather on numerous hills to continue the luminous tradition coinciding with the magical arrival of Spring Equinox, when the Sun moves into the sign of Aries, making the day equal in length to the night. There are many different ways to join in on this enchanting ritual. The easiest way is by visiting some of the well-known locations where the fires are lit annually—there are about 150 of these places.
Traditional Light Paths and Favorite Hills
This year, the light paths will again include several routes, and a traditional long one runs from Roztoky in Central Bohemia (at Holý vrch) through Házmburk (with confirmation for Říp pending) and into the Lusatian Mountains. Following this, the light will move from Brda to Šumava and onward to Novohradské hory. The signal will also travel from Křivoklátsko and Plzeňská pahorkatina to Cheb, or from the White Carpathians all the way to Cologne. Other routes will lead from Šumperk through the Low Jeseník to Podkrkonoší, from Olomouc via Kralický Sněžník to Police nad Metují (with spots like Čertova skála Suchý Důl) and further to Úpice, Kuks, and Kumburk Castle, as well as from Wallachian Meziříčí via Ostrava and Opava to Krnov.
Among the popular sites in the northern region are Děčínský Sněžník, Pastevní vrch, Key, Kumburk Castle, Žaltman Lookout Tower, Čertova Skála near Police nad Metují, and Králický Sněžník. In the southern areas, the hills and mountains of Brda have been prepared to signal with fire (confirmation for this year is still pending), but there are sure to be fires lit on Klet’, Kraví Pole near Prachatice, Medvědí hora above Lipno, Hradišťský vrch near Kaplice, or Todenská hora (Velešín). The flames are also likely to flicker on Mt. Velký Blaník, Jalový vrch near Pacov, or Javořice near Řásno. Additionally, in western Bohemia, fires are expected at Mount Krudum near Horní Slavkov, Vladař near Žlutice, Andělská hora near Karlovy Vary, or Svatá Anna near Cheb. In the Central Highlands of Bohemia, popular locations like Říp (confirmation for this year is still pending), Hazmburk, Milešovka, Lovoš , and Radobýl near Žalhostice stand out. Over in South and East Moravia, the area you’re likely to “spit” includes The Great Lopenik, probably also Velká Javorina (confirmation is pending), the Celtic hillfort Klapy, Střečkův hill, Králov lookout tower (Uherský Brod), Náklo, Karlínský Hill near Čejč, and perhaps even Dívčí hrady above Pavlov (confirmation for this one is still not guaranteed), or Kadovská hora. You can also opt to find your own hill and join the ranks of those guarding these signal sites and protect the sacred fire, referred to as the devils. For a detailed overview of the registered and available stations, visit the event website.
Why are the fires of the Celtic telegraph lit by “devils”?
The name “Celtic Telegraph” was created by Jiří Kuchař, the project’s visionary, linking it to the Celts, who were the original inhabitants of our lands, recognized by their name. This connection makes sense, as data indicates that 35.6% of Czech men carry “R1b” on their Y-chromosome, revealing Celtic roots. For both the Celts and other peoples, mountains and hills were revered as sacred places. Many such locations housed shrines and burial sites, often overseen by spiritual leaders. They utilized these elevated areas to set up signal fires on the hills to convey messages and alert others of potential threats. The people who ignited these fires are referred to as “devils.” However, the interpretation of this term varies significantly among the Celts compared to Slavic mythology.
Have you ever taken note of how many Devil Mountains or Hell’s Hills exist within our nation? They didn’t acquire their names because of fairy-tale creatures, but rather from the Celtic term for “devils”. In Celtic tradition, the devil held a specific status. This figure was associated with the mastery over primal forces, burial rites, and notably, the transmission of fiery messages. Tolkien, well aware of these Celtic themes, incorporated this fiery element into the third volume of The Lord of the Rings. The watchfires were essential for the survival of the Celtic people. The devil must have had the skill to ignite them under all weather conditions. When the Romans crossed the Rhine at Basel, the Celts in Friesland were alerted within three minutes, all thanks to a series of fires. Unsurprisingly, as Christianity spread, it had to address this phenomenon, as the devil was a revered being within Celtic culture, often linked with fire and the underworld, because on many deforested hilltops, it was believed that devils resided underground. Much like how sacred Slavic groves were transformed into pagan symbols and Slavic goddesses became nearly demonized, the devils met a similar fateful misrepresentation.
