River Vltava - Czech republic

spring (source):
Vltava river is created by confluence of Teplá (Warm) and Studená (Cold) Vltava in a natural preserve Mrtvý luh near to the community of Nová Pec in Bohemian Forest.
flow length:
430 km

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Localites

Levý Hradec
Locality type:
Castles
Place:
Prague - west district

The town of Roztoky and its environs were colonized, (since younger stone era, till early Middle Age), and the archaeologists have a lot of work on these places. This town, situated in 10 kms distance from Prague, became a „a cradle of Bohemian state“. In its town quarter Žalov, there is to be found a community of Levý Hradec, originally named as Hradec only. The title of „Levý“ obtained probably in 11th century, owing to second Hradec, situated on opposite river bank of Vltava river, in Klecany (this place was known under name of „Pravý“). However, the rests of this second place were not preserved till now.

Beginnings of Bohemian State

In early Middle Age, there were placed many crumbled principialities in the territory of Bohemia. First written notice about Principles in Bohemia comes of 845, when fourteen Bohemian Princes let to be baptised in the town of Regensburg. The baptism was an important political act at that time.

There were three main parentages in Bohemia, such as Slavnik, Vršovec and Přemysl Parentages, trying to unit the Bohemians. However, they conquested against each other at the same time. Nevertheless, Přemysl Parentage had predominance in this power fights, as they had hegemony over territory centre. They had close connections with Great Moravia Empire. This fact is proved by Christian´s Legend, mentioning baptism of Prince Bořivoj and his wife Ludmila by Archbishop Method in Moravia in 884. After return, Prince Bořivoj let to construct, in honour of this act, St.Clement church on his seat on Levý Hradec. This was first Christian church in Bohemia. The church obtained a name of this saint, as Cyrill and Method, brothers from Thessaloniki, brought from Bulgaria to Bohemia his body rests. The church origin is referred again by Christian´s Legend. Anyway, the baptism in Great Moravia meant declining from west Regensburg Episcopate. So, Bořivoj orientated his future to Byzantium Empire.

Count Bořivoj changed his seat to Prague piece of ground, (after disputes with their opponents in his own tribe), and this place became later main centre of political events. So, he put a base for creation of Prague Castle, on place where Zizi Hill was situated (ziz word meant fire or burning or incandescence in old Slave language). This area served as pagan place of sacrifice  and burial cemetery before Přemysl Parentage came here. Nearby, there was placed stone table, serving as meeting point of Bohemian Princes. According to archaeological findings, burial place was to be found, where today´s obelisk on 3rd courtyard of Prague Castle is arisen. Original „Meeting Point“ was probably situated behind St.Vitus Cathedral, on today´s St.George Square.

After Great Moravia decline, Spytihnev and Vratislav, sons of Bořivoj, inclined towards western orientation and enabled spreading of Christianity from Regensburg Episcopate.

Archeology

The notice, regarding Levý Hradec, could be found just in Kosmas Chronicle. According to archaeological findings, the piece of ground was situated here long before, when the government in Bohemia was taken over by first historically presented Count Bořivoj from Přemysl Parentage. Just in older stone era, there was placed here fortificated building, owing to its very important strategical position. Nevertheless, the documents about Celtic presence here are existing,too. In the community of Roztoky, there was also found Slavonic colonization. So, there was inhabited here numerous Slavonic community here, within 6th-7th centuries. You could find here near to today´s railway crossing, in direction from Roztoky to Prague. The piece of ground in Levý Hradec was created probably in 9th century. It is consisting of central acropolis and respective outer bailey. It is obvious, that this piece of ground was most vulnerable from western part, so a ditch was deepened here and a palissade (rampart) built above. However, this fortification disappeared after big fire later. So, different technics was used for construction of new ramparts (oak rooms, filled up with gravels). On the acropolis, there were digged out the basements of wooden cottages and fire-place. On its south-west part, there was managed to find the basements of bigger construction, divided into more spaces. Another archaeological findings, these are bones of animals (the people breeded them or hunted them obviously). The tombs explained that mostly women had exclusive cloths. They had ear-rings and necklaces of various forms, several times added with pearls from amber. However, apart of this piece of ground is partially built up, on remaining parts, there are to be found fields and old communities. Nevertheless, there is marvellous around view from here to Vltava river, which flows between rocks.

On break of  9th and 10th centuries, Přemysl Parentage constructed their central seat in Prague Castle, and a nest of Central Bohemian pieces of ground destined for defence of their power. So, Levý Hradec and Budeč became internal pieces of ground, the outer seats were Tetín, Lštění, Libušín, Mělník and Stará Boleslav. Levý Hradec became a centre of great interest and popularity. This fact proves that Ethelbert (Vojtěch) Slavník was elected here as the second Praggue Bishop, on 19th February 982. As the first one, Detmar of Saxonia was elected.

So, during rule of King Přemysl Ottakar I. there was here a seat of King´s administrative officers. In 1233, Hradec community was handed over into ownership of women St.George Benedictine Monastery in Prague Castle. However, later, Levý Hradec was totally forgotten, till beginnings of  Revival era of 19th century. So, during this period, there were celebrated the beginnings of Bohemian State in such way that also some deceits were presented. Levý Hradec was again in centre of attention and was investigated in detailed way again. First excavations were started within 1853-1855, and continued, with several pauses, till 1955. Most important discoveries were effected by Cenek Ryzner (at the end of 19th century), and by Ivan Borkovsky (within first half of 20th century). Since that time period, Levý Hradec is carefully followed (watched) by archaeologists from Middle Age department of Archaeological Institute of Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic and Central Bohemia Museum in Roztoky.

From original St.Clemente church, there were preserved the basements, found below the floor of today´s church only. The church was later, within Gothic and Renaissance time period, enlarged and arranged. Anyway, essential reconstruction was effected in 17th century. So, there was constructed bell-tower within 1656-1673. In this time period, there is furnished the existence of round navy of the church for last time. In 1684, the reminding part of rotunda was demolished, and rectangular navy in Baroque style was built. Moreover, there was constructed a wall at church cemetery. Building arrangements were terminated early in 20th century,where a vestry was added.

Nevertheless, solid total reconstruction and arrangements of the church were effected within 1939-1940 and in past years. At that time, Gothic wall paintings 14th century were restored. According to study of Peter Sommer, the basements of rotunda are placed below the floor. It had circular navy with shoe-horse apsida of 11th century (not of 9th century). This fact proves that the burials were made here as since 11th century. In past, the funerals were effected outside fortifications. However, this place was destroyed with Žalov brick-works. So, there is an idea, that the original church was constructed from wood.

Educational path

You find here 800 metres long educational path, with eight stops. Here, you get the information regarding important archaeological investigations. The path starts from wooden bus stop, near to guide service place.

Guide service

Guide service is available since May until September, on Saturdays and Sundays, since 10,00 till 18 o´clock, except Saturdays, when (14-15 h) Saint Mass is taken place. You can order guide service in advance (phone: 00420/737 701 608 - Šárka Jánská, 00420/606 245 198 - František Měchura or 00420/724 191 019 - Michal Cicvárek). Guided tour takes 40 min. approx.

GPS navigation:

Latitude :50° 10´9.89“ N

Longitude: 14° 22´27.34“ E

How to get to Levý Hradec?

By train: Prague-Masaryk Railway station or Prague-Libeň. Passenger trains go to Roztoky go from Ústí na Labem. You get off on railway stop Roztoky-Žalov. From here, the plates lead you directly to Levý Hradec. By bus No. 340 or No. 350 From Vítezné Square, not far from Dejvická underground station. By bus, you arrive directly to stop Levý Hradec. In case of using a bus No. 350, you have to get off one stop before as this bus goes in another direction.

Time tables are to be found on web site: www.roztoky.cz

Text: Pavla Voborníková

Photo: Wikipedia.org

Place

Czech republic

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