St Vitus's Cathedral - Tomb of St Wenceslas

The Tomb of St Wenceslas - St Vitus Cathedral

Pictured to the left: St Wenceslas and St Vitus by Bartholomaeus Spranger c 1600

Known as Good King Wenceslas, St Wenceslas was murdered by his brother on September 28, 935. The date of his death is now his Holy Day on the church calendar to mark his sainthood. He was hacked to pieces by his brother Boleslav at the urging of their mother Drahomíra. The murder of St Ludmilla, Wenceslas' grandmother was also planned by Drahomira. St Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech Republic and the Czech people.

Wenceslas became the ruler of Bohemia after his fathers death in 921. Circa 925 the Rotunda of St Vitas cathedral was comissioned by Wenceslas. The consecration of the completed cathedral occured in 1929, nearly 1,000 years after Wenceslas began building.

After his death, Wenceslas's murderer and brother Boleslav became the ruler of Bohemia. Several years later Boleslav regretted his deed and had Wenceslas' body exhumed and moved to the St Vitas Cathedral. The tomb of St Wenceslas is housed in the most beautiful side chapel, the altar of which is decorated with precious stones. The walls of the chapel are decorated with scenes from the life of Christ. The Tomb of St Wenceslas has become somewhat of a pilgrimage site and is quite crowded.

Pictured Above The Tomb of St Wenceslas