Boleslav II. and His Times

The 7th February 1999 was an important anniversary - it was a thousand years since the death of the Bohemian king Boleslav II. The Administration of Prague Castle, in cooperation with the Archeological institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, arranged an exhibition in the Old Royal Palace of Prague Castle, from 9.2. - 3l.3.l999, commemorating this anniversary and documenting that the times of Boleslav II. are connected with the remarkable development of the first Czech State.

The Rule of Prince Boleslav II.

Boleslav II., called by medieval historians "the Pious", was probably born, as the oldest son of Boleslav I., in about the year 932. When his father died in 972 he left his son a powerful central European state that included not only the whole of Bohemia, but the greater part of Moravia, part of Silesia, Lesser Poland and perhaps even Slovakia. This politically strong country was based internally on a castle administration, Christianity and the fighting ability of its soldiers. The international position of Bohemia was built on a rather free union that grew up with the Roman Empire and friendship with Poland, contributed to by the marriage of Boleslav´s sister Doubravka to the Polish Prince Mesek I. The ecclesiastical policy followed by the House of the Premyslides, was strengthened at the beginning of the seventies of that century by the foundation of the first convent on our territory, next to the church of St. George in Prague Castle, the abbess of which was Boleslav´s other sister, Mlada.

In 973, with the founding of the Prague bishopric, Bohemia became ecclesiastically independent. Saxon Detmar was appointed the first bishop, the second in 982 Vojtech of the House of the Slavnikovs. Under Boleslav II. Bohemia became an important centre of Christian culture. Boleslav II. took a share too in founding the Brevnov monastery in Prague, and just before he died he gave the initiative for the building of the monastery of St. John on the Island near Davle. The main theme in religious life, literature and art was the cult of St. Wenceslas.

In his efforts to complete the unification of the Czech state Boleslav II. came up against the political ambitions of the Slavnikov family. The tension came to a height in 995, when Boleslav´s army attacked and plundered the centre of the Slavnikov´s power, Libice on the Cidlina. Thus eastern Bohemia was joined to central Bohemia, or rather came back under the direct rule of the Prague Premyslides.

During his rule Boleslav II. tried to maintain the friendly contacts with the German empire, yet this relationship was broken off several times by war-like attacks from both sides. Relations with Poland became estranged after the death of Doubravka, gradually reaching open enmity and the loss of Silesia and the Cracow region.

Boleslav II. died on 7th February 999 and was buried in the St. George´s basilica in Prague Castle. After his death Bohemia again went through difficult times, owing to his three sons fighting for the throne. It was only Boleslav´s youngest son, Oldrich, who led the Czech state out of the crisis.

Prague Castle under Boleslav II.

In the second half of the 10th century Prague Castle was a well fortified site, similar to others on our territory. Its area of roughly six hectares was entered from the west, the visitor passed through the outer ramparts and entered the acropolis. At that time the terrain still had its original form of a promontory with ravines. The whole fortification was surrounded by ramparts, reinforced in the front by limestone boulders. The building was of wooden logs, and the princely palace was probably also of wood, though no trace has been left to us of its exact original position or form. The only stone buildings of those days were perhaps the bishop´s seat and mainly churches - the oldest church of Our Lady, built before 885, the church of St. George from 920, and the rotunda of St. Vitus from the nine-thirties. The rebuilding of the church of St. George and the first convent is linked with the name of Prince Boleslav II.

Not only the ruler and his court and those connected with the church lived in Prague Castle, but also craftsmen.

The Exhibition 1000 Years since the Death of Boleslav II.

The exhibition in the Old Palace, designed by Milena Bravermanova PhD. and Jan Frolik PhD., CSc., showed the problems of the times through precious objects from the property of the Administration of Prague Castle, the Archeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, the Archives of Prague Castle and the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus. Objects of everyday life in the fortifications were exhibited in show cases in the ancient Chamber of the Land Rolls, also unique jewels, funeral objects from the oldest graves of the princes. Certainly amongst the most precious exhibits were objects attributed to St. Wenceslas and St. Vojtech from the treasury of St. Vitus, and others that tell of the cultural and spiritual life in Prague Castle in the 10th century. One of the oldest illuminated manuscripts has been connected with the name of Boleslav´s wife, Princess Emma, who was responsible for the making of what is known as Gumpold´s legend on the torture of St. Wenceslas. As the original manuscript is not kept in Bohemia, a facsimile was exhibited.

Visitors were reminded that if it had not been for these capable and strong rulers in the 10th century, they would not be able to stand and view the exhibition here today, at the end of the 20th century.

Milena Bravermanova,
PhD., department of Art Collections of the Administration of Prague Castle

Jan Frolik,
PhD., CSc., Archeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic