Ride of the Kings

The royal procession

Between fifteen and twenty-five young men take part in the cavalry ride. At the heart of the troop rides the king, a boy aged ten to fifteen whose identity remains hidden behind ribbons, female attire and a rose clenched between his teeth. Groomsmen flanking him also wear women's garments, while an armed guard with bare swords keeps watch. As they travel across town for several hours, riders banter and chant playful rhymes to spectators. When the ride concludes, the community gathers at the king's home to celebrate with traditional music and dance.

Preparation and dress

Preparation for the festival begins well before the horses set out. Village women create the elaborate costumes and ornate gear for both riders and steeds, relying on distinctive color combinations and patterns unique to each settlement. Before the cavalcade departs, the riders attend a morning church service and receive formal permission from the local mayor to commence the parade. Though the ride was deeply entwined with Pentecost liturgical rites until the mid-twentieth century, it now functions primarily as a joyful civic and social celebration.

Origins and legends

While documented in its present structure since 1808, the true source of the custom remains a subject of debate. Local lore connects the disguise to King Matthias Corvinus, who reportedly fled a battle dressed as a maiden to avoid capture. Other regional tales link it to the mythical King of Barley or ancient pagan rites designed to protect coming crops. Similar customs once existed across wider Moravia and Silesia, including ceremonial king chases, though today only a handful of villages maintain the living ritual.

How Ride of the Kings is kept

The festival opens with a religious service followed by formal approval from the town mayor. Village women dress the horses and young riders in handcrafted folk attire. A company of fifteen to twenty-five young men rides through the streets for several hours, singing and joking with onlookers. They surround their chosen boy king, who remains mute with a rose between his lips. In the evening, the celebration continues at the king's house with social dancing and music.

When and where

The festival takes place during the spring season at Pentecost. In the village of Vlčnov it happens every year, while neighbouring towns like Kunovice and Hluk hold the ride at intervals of two or three years.

The tradition belongs to the historic Moravian Slovakia area in the south-east of the Czech Republic. The village of Vlčnov is its best-known home, alongside occasional observances in Hluk, Kunovice and Skoronice.

What Ride of the Kings means

The central mystery of the procession is the silent young king. Dressed in feminine clothing with a rose held firmly in his mouth, the boy remains protected by sword-bearing guards. Local folklore connects this disguise to tales of royal escape and ancient harvest renewal, while the transition of village youth taking up the ride mirrors traditional coming-of-age milestones.

Days Ride of the Kings is marked

Questions people ask about Ride of the Kings

See also

KoliadaA traditional winter caroling and solstice festival kept across Slavic EuropeEaster whippingAn Easter Monday custom of tapping women with braided willow switches for vitalityNowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnicsHanamiA Japanese spring custom of gathering under blooming cherry trees to eat, drink, and celebrate the fleeting beauty of th

Good reading and sources

• Ride of the Kings on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.