The Czech Republic - places tourists don´t go. /Part 2/

 

Brandýs nad Labem - Stará Boleslav 

 

 Only a few kilometers to the north-east of Prague lies a conurbation of two small towns, separated by the biggest Czech river Labe /Elbe/. On the west bank lies the town of Brandýs nad Labem which was a favorite residence of the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of Bohemia, Rudolf II. And on the east bank lies the town of Stará Boleslav which is the oldest place of pilgrimage in the Czech Republic.
Although both towns were stigmatized by an insensitive socialistic housing construction, miraculously in both cases their historical town centers remained largely intact and thus still preserve its characteristic medieval appearance with narrow streets and irregular lay-out.

 In the past, due to their location both towns were an important river crossing-point on the trade route which led from Prague to the northern regions of Bohemia and Germany. Stará Boleslav was the site of an early Přemyslid´s stronghold and by tradition also the place where St. Wenceslas was murdered by his brother Boleslav I. The Martyrdom of St. Wenceslas led to the creation of many legends and Stará Boleslav became the oldest place of pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Consequently many religious buildings were constructed.

  Nevertheless the real prosperity period came with Rudolf II´s accession to the throne of Bohemia in 1576. Because of its proximity to Prague, Rudolf II made the Chateau of Brandýs nad Labem his favourite rest residency. And in 1581 Brandys nad Labem was granted a Royal Town status. Even after the abdication of Rudolf II, Brandys nad Labem remained a favourite residence of Habsburg monarchs. In 1813 Chateau of Brandýs nad Labem became the place where the Emperor Alexander I of Russia, King Frederick William III of Prussia and the emperor Francis I of Austria came to an agreement leading to the final destruction of Napoleon Bonaparte.

 In 1960 both towns were officially bound together and a new conurbation named Brandýs nad Labem - Stará Boleslav was created.

Getting there:

From Prague, it takes only about 20 minutes to get there by bus. And the easiest way is to take the metro C /the red line/ to its final stop Letňany. Once you leave the metro station, take the first exit on the right side, and then take the bus line 375 to Brandýs nad Labem - náměstí /"naměstí" means square/. Also you can just say that you are going to Brandys. Get off the bus as soon as you will see a town square with a large fountain. The bus line 375 continues to Stará Boleslav, thus first of all you can explore the town of Brandys, then you can cross the river to Stará Boleslav and from there you can take a bus back to Prague /the bus stop in Stará Boleslav is called Brandýs n.L.-St.Bol.,U brány and you can find it next to the St. Wenceslas’s Basilica/. The bus connection is excellent and except the bus line 375 /direction Českomoravská/ you can also take the bus line 367 /direction Černý Most/. Černý most is the final stop of metro B /the yellow line/.

You can find the up-to-date timetable information below. All you have to do is to type from Letňany to Brandýs n.L.-St.Bol.,nám.

http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/praha/spojeni/

Chateau of Brandýs nad Labem is a Renaissance-style redevelopment of much older Gothic castle. Although badly damaged during socialism, it´s now slowly regaining its former beauty and pomposity.

 A huge Baroque-style Chateau Brewery.

The water mill in Brandýs nad Labem has 11 water-wheels and it was one of the biggest water mills in the Kingdom of Bohemia. The nearby stone bridge was built in 1604.

The most important religious building in Stará Boleslav is the romanic-style St. Wenceslas’s Basilica. It was founded in the 11th century, allegedly on the place where St. Wenceslas had been murdered by his brother Boleslav I., thus becoming the oldest place of pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Bohemia. 

Deepening social differences are one of the biggest problems of today´s Czech Republic. Among others, they are caused by economic imbalance between individual regions. Prague is generally by far the richest region in the country and if you have seen Prague you really haven´t seen the Czech Republic.

Since the beginning of the 16th century, Brandýs nad Labem had a substantial Jewish population. It ceased to exist with the outbreak of WWII. This old Jewish cemetery with Ceremonial Hall and a synagogue are the last reminders of  the past we shouldn't forget.

Chateau of Měšice

Chateau of Měšice is one of the many interesting places in the vicinity of Brandys nad Labem. Unfortunately like many other such sights it was badly damaged during socialism and today it serves as a medical facility.

 The adjacent English park looks more like a jungle today.