Sunday, March 16, 2025
Anniversary: Church of St. Ludmila Has Dominated Vinohrady for 130 Years
The three-aisle basilica which was built using the plans of the architect Josef Mocker features two 60 metre-high towers with an opulent staircase.
It is a typical North German Neo-Gothic church and it has been 130 years since its consecration on 8th October.
The church was consecrated roughly five years after its construction work started. Its foundation stone was laid down on 25 November 1888. The building came into existence fairly quickly and was financed by the Vinohrady town itself.
Its importance increased after the visit of the emperor Franz Joseph I and the Viennese administration office decided to contribute to its construction as well. The Association for Church of St. Ludmila at Krรกlovskรฉ Vinohrady also provided a great support throughout.
The paintings and ornaments on the walls are by Johann Jobst. The interior and exterior artwork was made by famous artists of the times such as sculptors Josef Vรกclav Myslbek, Frantiลกek Hergessel, and Antonรญn Prochรกzka, or painters Frantiลกek ลฝenรญลกek and Adolf Liebscher.
Events
The 130th anniversary is associated with a series of celebratory events jointly organized by the Prague 2 Municipal District, the Roman Catholic parish of St. Ludmilaโs Church, and the Friends of St. Ludmilaโs Basilica in Prague.
On Sunday, October 1st, at 11 am, following the Mass, the red wine โAndrรฉ 2022-130 St. Ludmila,โ an extraordinary wine crafted especially for the 130th anniversary of the basilicaโs consecration, will be blessed.
On Wednesday, October 4th, at 1 pm, students from the secondary schools of Prague 2, children from the childrenโs home in Krompach, and primary school pupils from Vitkov will present a musical and dramatic group titled โI Sought the Radiance of This Morningโ in the basilica.
On Saturday, October 7th, at 7 pm, there will be a festive concert titled โ130 Years with You.โ Renowned opera singers Pavlina Seniฤ, Tereza Mรกtlovรก, and guest Michael Bragagnolo will perform famous songs accompanied by the Vratislavka choir, under the direction of choirmaster Eva Kleinovรก.
On Sunday, October 8th, at 11 am, a Holy Mass will be held with the participation of the Archbishop of Prague and Primate of the Czech Republic, Mons. Jan Graubner, and distinguished guests.
On Monday, October 9th, from 10 am to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm, there will be an exhibition of artifacts and religious relics titled โFrom the Treasures of St. Ludmila.โ
The celebration will also feature a panel exhibition titled โThe Soul of the Vineyard,โ dedicated to the history and present of the Basilica. This exhibition will consist of eight panels displayed in front of the church. Those interested in the exhibition will have a full month to view it, as it will run from Friday, October 6th, to Monday, November 6th.
Saint Ludmila
Ludmila was born around the year 860. Where? There is speculation about this, but it is probable that it was in Central Bohemia, in todayโs Mฤlnรญk, as the daughter of the local prince.
She was raised as a pagan who offered sacrifices to the Slavic gods. At about the age of 15, she married Boลivoj, the first historically documented Pลemyslid prince and ruler of todayโs Central and Southern Bohemia. She was married for about 14 years and during that time, became the mother of 3 sons and 3 daughters. Together with her husband, in 882 she accepted Christianity from the Moravian Archbishop, Methodius.
When she was about 30 years old, she was widowed. But she did not withdraw herself, as was customary. She took a very active part in politics. Many people did not like this and tried to deprive the widowed princess of power and influence over the ruling princely family.
Eventually, Ludmila took refuge in her fortified settlement of Tetรญn in Central Bohemia, where she was murdered on 15 September 921, strangled by her own scarf, according to legend.
Her death was apparently ordered by her own daughter-in-law, Princess Drahomรญra, to consolidate her power. Ludmila has been considered a saint by the people since 925, but her official canonisation from the pope was not declared until 1143.
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