Hrad Stará Boleslav

Hidden beneath the modern town of Stará Boleslav in the Praha-východ district lie the remains of one of Bohemia's most significant early medieval fortified settlements. Founded at the turn of the ninth and tenth centuries, it quickly became a key seat of Přemyslid power during the formative years of the Czech state. The site's strategic importance made it a focal point of political and religious life in the region.

During the reign of Boleslav I, the original timber-and-earth ramparts were replaced by more durable stone fortifications, reflecting the growing ambitions and resources of the ruling dynasty. Within the fortified complex stood the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, a place forever associated with a pivotal moment in Czech history — it was at the doors of this very church that Prince Wenceslas, the future patron saint of Bohemia, is said to have been murdered.

Today the archaeological site enjoys protected status as a cultural monument, and ongoing excavations continue to shed light on the lives of early medieval communities. For visitors, Stará Boleslav offers a rare chance to walk in the footsteps of the founders of the Czech nation and to contemplate the events that shaped its identity for centuries to come.