Saint Wenceslas is a national saint and the patron of the Czech land. He was murdered in Stará Boleslav near Prague, a place that has since become a destination of Christian pilgrimages.[2] The Czechs commemorate his legacy above all at the National St Wenceslas Pilgrimage, held every year in Stará Boleslav and one of the most important Christian feasts in the country.[3]*
National St Wenceslas Pilgrimage
Thousands of people from all over Czechia travel to Stará Boleslav every year, and many of them walk several kilometres on foot.[4] In 2026 the solemn pilgrim Mass in Mariánské náměstí was attended by thousands of pilgrims; the service was celebrated by the Archbishop of Prague and Primate of Czechia Stanislav Přibyl, for whom it was the first St Wenceslas pilgrimage as archbishop.[1] Before the Mass Přibyl joined the pilgrims who set out early in the morning from Prague's Kyje, and walked part of the way with them.[1] Guests of the pilgrimage included former president Václav Klaus, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and the governor of the Central Bohemian Region Petra Pecková; President Petr Pavel did not attend in person but sent a greeting, which was read by the mayor of Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav, Petr Soukup.[1]
Přibyl celebrated the Mass together with the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic Eugene Martin Nugent and bishops Josef Nuzík, Martin David and Pavel Konzbul.[1] In his homily he recalled the violent death of Saint Wenceslas and called for reconciliation, forgiveness and concord in society; he warned against disagreement in society growing into hatred.[1] He also spoke about the role of political and public power, which, in his words, people do not own but are its temporary servants and stewards.[1]
Relics and the reliquary bust
During the service pilgrims can view the relics of the Czech national patron.[3] At the Mass in 2026 a new silver reliquary bust of Saint Wenceslas containing his relic was displayed for the first time, a case in the shape of a head that replaced the older bust used at the pilgrimage in previous years.[1] The new bust took two years to make in a jewellery workshop in Turnov and its acquisition was financed by donors; it was designed and made by the jeweller and goldsmith Jiří Urban in cooperation with the jeweller Petr Vogel.[1][5]
Chronology
- — People in Stará Boleslav commemorated St Wenceslas, patron saint of the Czech lands. → ČTK / České noviny ČT24
Pages linking here
- Bohemian Crown Jewels
- Clearance of Josefov
- Lesser Town Square
- National Saint Wenceslas Pilgrimage
- Olomouc
- Prague Astronomical Clock
- St Vitus Cathedral
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 28 September 2026
- ČT24 — 28 September 2026
- Dvojka / Radiožurnál — 28 September 2026
- iROZHLAS — 28 September 2026
- iROZHLAS — 28 September 2026