“Did you know that Stará Boleslav is the oldest pilgrimage site in Bohemia? It’s true. This place has a rich history. It blends with tales of saints and royal visits.
Let’s delve into the story of Stará Boleslav. Around the year 900, Duke Spytihněv I founded a gord here. A gord was a fortified settlement. In the early 10th century, Duke Boleslaus I resided here. He replaced the moats with stone walls. The gord became known as Boleslav.
Tragedy struck within these walls. At the gate of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Boleslaus I murdered his brother Duke Wenceslaus. This happened on September 28, 935 or 929. Wenceslaus was later proclaimed a saint. He became the patron saint of the Czech nation. Stará Boleslav subsequently became an important pilgrimage site.
In 1039, Duke Bretislav I established a new Romanesque basilica. It was dedicated to St. Wenceslaus. This stood at the site of the murder. In 1052, Bretislav I had the Collegiate Chapter of Saints Cosmas and Damian built. It was the oldest in Bohemia. It stood next to the basilica.
Kings Charles IV and Wenceslaus often visited Stará Boleslav. They liked to hunt in the 14th century. They had new town fortifications built. During the Hussite Wars from 1419 to 1434, the castle was burned down.
Stará Boleslav regained its fame in the second half of the 17th century. This was due to the cult of Madonna. Today, Stará Boleslav is part of Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav. The towns joined in 1960. Neither wanted to give up their name.
Stará Boleslav boasts several important sights. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is one. Also, the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. Not to forget the Church of Saint Clement. These are national cultural monuments.
The Church of Saint Wenceslaus and the Church of Saint Clement are a pair of Romanesque churches. They stand where the old Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian once stood. Duke Bretislav I founded the Church of Saint Wenceslaus in 1039. It was consecrated in 1046. The Church of Saint Clement was built at the end of the 11th century. It features Romanesque frescos. They depict scenes from St. Clement’s life and martyrdom.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is an early Baroque church. It was built from 1613 to 1623. It stands on the site of an older church. The main altar contains a Gothic relief. It’s called the Palladium of the Bohemian land. Legend connects it with St. Ludmila and St. Wenceslaus. It is a valuable monument.
Every year on September 28, the St. Wenceslaus National Pilgrimage takes place in Stará Boleslav. It is the largest official celebration of Czech Statehood Day. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited Stará Boleslav. He was the first pope to do so.
Stará Boleslav stands as a testament to faith, history and resilience. Its monuments whisper tales of dukes, saints and artists. As you wander through this pilgrimage site, remember the echoes of the past. Feel the spiritual significance. Let Stará Boleslav leave an indelible mark on your soul.”