A small village nestled near Prague. That’s Libeř. Its story begins long ago. Much longer than you might think.
Libeř a municipality and village boasts a history stretching back to 1320. That’s when the first written record appeared. It mentions Jan son of Štěpán from Libeř. A seemingly small detail. But it marks the beginning of Libeř’s long and fascinating journey.
The village situated on the banks of the Zahořanský stream was once divided among several owners. This led to the existence of two unfortified settlements. Sadly these are lost to time. Libeř was owned by minor noble families. The Kolman family from Křikava the Mladota family from Solopysky. Even the Slepotí family from Sulice owned part of it.
Debt eventually led to a change in ownership. In 1586 Libeř fell into the hands of Vilém of Rožmberk. He later sold it to Edward Kelley the infamous alchemist. After Kelley’s downfall the Bohemian Chancellor Kryštof Šelinský of Sebuzín acquired Libeř’s confiscated property. Libeř then became part of the Dolní Břežany estate. The Prague archbishopric regained the estate in 1716.
Libeř’s heart beats within the walls of its historic Saint Giles Church. A Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 14th century. The church features a unique pulpit. Its late Renaissance carvings depict the Evangelists. Three baroque altars add to its beauty. During a renovation in 1890 a tombstone was discovered. It belonged to Vilém Křižecký of Ronov. The church’s small surrounding cemetery served nearby villages. Petrov Luka pod Medníčkem Okrouhlo and Zahořany.
The stone bridge over the Zahořanský stream. It stands as a testament to Libeř’s resilience. Constructed in 1855 it coincided with the building of a new road. This road linked Libeř to Jílové. The bridge is guarded by a statue of Saint John Nepomuk. The original statue was damaged in 1948. A replica thanks to a village collection stands proudly today. A wooden bridge for pedestrians and cyclists was built alongside in 2013.
Libeř’s history unfolds not just in stone. It’s in the whispers of the past. The echoes of its inhabitants. From its humble beginnings to its current existence. Libeř’s tale is one of endurance. It’s a story etched into every cobblestone every building every heart. A story that continues to be written today.