Stará Boleslav pilgrimage site

Stará Boleslav is forever linked with the fratricide of the Czech Přemyslid prince Wenceslas, whose martyrdom on 28 September 935 elevated him to the position of patron and spiritual ruler of the Czech lands. Since the 11th century, the Basilica of St. Wenceslas has stood on the site of his death, founded in his honour by Břetislav I. However, Stará Boleslav is not only the heart of the national St. Wenceslas tradition. The Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus is worshipped at this oldest of Czech pilgrimage sites, depicted on an ancient metal icon - the Palladium of the Czech Lands. The site of the discovery now houses a Baroque Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary built in the early 17th century based on a design by an important architect of Italian origin, G. M. Fillipi. In the 18th century, the architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer was most likely involved in the construction of the tower, the western façade and the ambulatory.

opening hours

The Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the ambulatories are open for visitors and private prayer daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
The Basilica of St. Wenceslas can only be entered with a guide after purchasing a ticket at the Information and Cultural Centre. The basilica is not freely accessible.

Stará Boleslav Information and Cultural Centre
January—December: Tue — Sun 9:00—12:00, 13:00—17:00

Tour ticket sales and orders:

• The Story of Palladium of the Czech Lands
Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – history of the construction of the church including a visit to the Treasury with the Stará Boleslav Treasure

• Where was Prince Wenceslas murdered?
Basilica of St. Wenceslas

• Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary + Basilica of St. Wenceslas

• Chapel of Blessed Podiven + Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

• Church of St. Clement — the oldest depiction of the St. Clement legend in wall paintings

• Basilica of St. Wenceslas + Church of St. Clement

Tour schedule and admission price list