Silver Medal Guardians of Czech Mountains - Beskydy Mountains and Radegast - Proof

Guardians of czech mountains

The fifth good spirit, to whom belongs the silver medal of the Czech Mint from the series Guardians of the Czech Mountains, is the ruler of the Beskydy Mountains named Radegast.

Radegast, to whom the ancient Slavs prayed, was the god of the sun, fire and war, but because he was a great lover of good food and drink, he also became the patron of harvest, abundance and hospitality. He would often visit ordinary people in disguise, be entertained by them, and if satisfied, rewarded them handsomely. In Bohemia and Moravia he is therefore also known as Radhošt' - or one who likes to be hosted. Although Radegast was especially revered by the tribes of Baltic Slavs who lived in Germany, his home was the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains. On the top of the mountain that was named Radhošt', there used to be a shrine where Slavs sacrificed to gain divine favour. Fruit, livestock and perhaps even human sacrifices were brought to the altar.A terrible statue of Radegast made of pure gold looked down on them...  When the Christian saints Constantine and Methodius learned of the temple, they had it burned down. The pagan priests at least managed to save the idol, which they hid deep inside the mountain - in an underground sanctuary, where it may still be hidden today. A thousand years later, it was replaced on the surface by a new statue of Radegast, which also inspires awe and wonder...

The author of the commemorative medal is traditionally academic sculptor Majka Wichnerová. The obverse side presents a view of the Radhošt mountain accompanied by the inscription STRÁŽCI ČESKÝCH HOR – RADEGAST – BESKYDY ("GUARDIANS OF THE CZECH MOUNTAINS - RADEGAST - BESKYDY"). The reverse side is dominated by Radegast himself in the form of a half-naked wild man with a beard. The horned helmet and spear symbolize his role as the god of war. The shield on his chest represents his role as the sun god. The sheaf of grain defines him as the god of the harvest.

A total of six mountain spirits from across the country will be featured in the collector's series.