Bazilika Sv. Václava / Basilica of St. Wenceslaus (Stará Boleslav)
N 50° 11.679 E 014° 40.349
33U E 476622 N 5560324
Romanesque Basilica of St. Wenceslaus (Bazilika Sv. Václava) is in light of the Czech history one of the most important sacral buldings in the territory of the state...
Waymark Code: WM83MJ
Location: Středočeský kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 01/21/2010
Views: 168
The three-nave Romanesque basilica of St. Wenceslaus was built over the ancient church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian by Prince Bretislav. It was consecrated in 1046 and within its structure it involved a place of the original wooden church from the Boleslaus' castle, where Wenceslaus had been killed on 28th September 935 (929, as earlier tradition told) and buried.
Early medieval castle of the Premyslid dynasty was built at this location in the 9th-10th century and its church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian may be located in the today's crypt of the basilica not only thanks to the tradition, but also based upon recent archaeological researches. The Wenceslaus' martyrdom is represented in the Vrabská chapel with a sandstone statue made by the leading Bohemian Baroque sculptor Matyáš Bernard Braun. The St. Wenceslaus' tradition was then developed and strengthened under Prince Bretislaus I by foundation of the Ss. Cosmas and Damian Collegiate Chapter in 1052.
The basilica suffered heavily during the Hussite wars and lately during Swedish occupation in 17th century. During centuries was church rebuilt several times - for example in the late 16th century were side naves provided with new Renaissance vaults and external buttresses. From the 16th century also originates amply moulded portal on the south church's side.