How did a town northwest of Prague become tied to ancient legends? This is Libušín. It is a town steeped in history and folklore.
Libušín’s story begins long ago. Archaeological finds show Slavic settlement here in the 6th and 7th centuries. A gord was built at the end of the 9th century. The first written mention of Libušín is from 1052.
According to legend, Libuše, the wise daughter of Krok, ruled from Libušín. Not from Vyšehrad as some might think. It was here that she prophesied Prague’s great future. She selected Přemysl Oráč as her husband from here. Thus, Libušín is tied to the very beginnings of the Czech state.
The name Libušín comes from the personal name Ľuboš. It means Ľuboš’s property. The town’s history saw changes in ownership. King Ottokar II donated it to the Ostrov Monastery in 1277. The Martinic family bought Libušín in 1514. They owned it until the 20th century.
In 1775, black coal changed Libušín. Coal mining started in 1885. Three mines opened. The population grew quickly. Libušín developed because of mining. Coal mining continued until 2002.
Libušín gained town status in 1919. It lost it between 1961 and 2006.
Today, Libušín is known for its medieval festival. It started in 1991. It is the largest historical reenactment in the Czech Republic. It is also one of the biggest in Europe. Surprisingly, the battle reenacted is fictional and not based on any real event.
The Church of Saint George is a key sight. It was likely founded in the 10th century. It took its current Baroque form in 1650. Its location far from the town led to the building of another church. The neo-Gothic Church of Saint Procopius was built in 1908.
Also see the wooden bell tower near the Church of Saint George. It was built in 1500. The mining tower and building are technical cultural monuments.
Important people have called Libušín home. Composer Jiří Pauer was from here. So was CIA spy Josef Frolík and physical chemist Zdeněk Herman.
Libušín remains a town with a rich past. From ancient settlements to mining booms, it has seen much change. The legends of Libuše add to its charm. They link it to the founding of Prague and the Czech nation. As you explore Libušín remember its role in Czech history and legend.