Obsluhovali jsme korunního prince - Vzpomínky Antonína Fialy (1866-1936) na pražský život a vojančení za císaře pána – Jičínská Filomena (2024)

Crown Prince Rudolf (1858–1889), the only son of Emperor Franz Joseph I, is one of the important figures in this book. Just like Ferdinand V the Benevolent (1793–1875), affectionately referred to by the people of Prague as 'our Ferdáček', who spent the rest of his days at Prague Castle after abdicating the imperial throne. These significant figures in our history, along with future minister Alois Rašín and Senator Soukup, as well as a plethora of minor and often nameless characters, fill the pages of the colorful memories of Antonín Fiala (1866–1936). The author of these memoirs was born at Prague Castle, his father was a fire lookout at St. Vitus Cathedral, and his mother served at the castle's governor's office. Young Antonín spent his childhood and youth in close proximity to important historical figures and minor actors of castle and Lesser Town life. Not only are there memories of how Antonín's mother baked pancakes for the heir to the Austrian throne, but also of childhood mischief in the corridors of the so-called 'Burgh', his studies at the Prague cadet school, and the beginning of his career as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian army, which serve as valuable testimonies to the social conditions of that time. After the fall of the monarchy, Antonín Fiala adapted to the republican era and concluded his career as the administrator of higher education...