Levý Hradec

The castle Levý Hradec is a medieval castle ramparts in the field of Žalov in the Czech Republic

Geography

The castle barn is located ten kilometers northwest of the center of Prague. The attachment was located on a hill above the left bank of the Vltava River at the mouth of the river Žalovský creek.

Levý Hradec was the original seat of the first historically documented Přemyslids - Prince Borivoj I. In the 880s years, it became the first Christian church in Bohemia.

History

The early medieval castle was probably built in the mid 9th century in place of a Bronze Age fortification. In written sources, but it is only mentioned at the end of the 9th century. According to the Christian legend was Prince Bořivoj I. here after his return from Moravia build the first church in Bohemia. He consecrated St. Clement's, a popular saints in Moravia, and sat here the priest Kaich one, which he had brought with him from there. Levý Hradec was the original seat of the early Přemyslids rulers. While still at the end of the 9th century moved Bořivoj based in the Prague Castle. But Prague, Budeč and Levý Hradec remained to continue the three major centers in Central Bohemia. A second time is reported from the castle to 19 February 982. Although the place had lost its political importance, he was known as " the cradle of Christianity in Bohemia " is still significant enough to conduct the election of the Slavnikiden Adalbert of Prague for the Prague bishop here.

It was not until the late 11th century the buildings were abandoned. After this date, there are no documents and records of, and additions. In the town itself royal administrators were used in the 13th century, as witnessed documents from the years 1221 and 1233. 1233 was the church in the possession of the St. George's Monastery on in the Prague Castle.

The castle is a national cultural monument since 1956.

Archeology

Already 1853-1855 led Václav Krolmus in the area first excavations. They were continued late 19th century by Čeněk Ryzner. Intensive was dug up but then in the 1950s by Ivan Borkovsky, who also made the most important finds only in the 1930s.

Thus, total investment was 6.4 acres in size and consisted of two parts, the Acropolis and the fortified bailey. The Acropolis with a magnitude of about 3.6 acres was located on the eastern, more protected steep side, and was protected by a palisade of wood and clay, before there was a stone wall. The fortification was built in two phases with some later improvements made. On the Acropolis Blockhausbauten were discovered that had a wooden floor. The outer bailey was also fixed and renovated several times. This multi-room houses with outbuildings and with plaited straw walls have been found.

Under the floor of the Church of St. Clement in 1939, the original floor plans of the church were studied until 1941. It was therefore a rotunda with a bow ship. The age of the building material is obtained under valued today than at the end of the 9th century and it is believed that the original church was built of wood and the stone came later. This is also supported by the fact that was started according to the latest investigations only after the 11th century burials in the vicinity of the church.