Tag: 13th Century

A painting of the Judith bridge

The lost Judith bridge

Prague's Charles bridge is the main attraction in this medieval city. Few have heard of its predecessor and fewer have heard about the stories behind it. This article delves into the myths and mythology about the Judith bridge.
A picture of the coat of Arms of the House of Hohenstaufen (as Kings of Sicily)

From a Duchy to a Kingdom

In the 12th century, Otakar I was the Duke of Bohemia. Through wily politics, he elevated his duchy to a kingdom, forever enhancing Bohemia in the process. This article explains the political situation at the time and how Otakar pulled this off.
A photo of the Abbey de la Sainte Trinite - Vendôme, France

The Abbey in Vendome

Legends underpin so many historical stories it's hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction. I've found a factual explanation for the legend behind the foundation of the Holy Trinity Abbey in Vendôme, France.
A photo of Leopold Hilsner (1918)

The Hilsner Affair

Anti-Jewish sentiment has long been a problem - even before the Nazis. This article describes the infamous Hilsner affair from Bohemia.
A photo of St Stephen's Rotunda - Prague, Czechia

St Stephen’s missing rotunda

The Rotunda of St Stephen in Prague, was part of the Christianization effort in Bohemia. Constructed in the Benedictine-owned village of Na Rybničku, the rotunda was later owned by Teutonic Knights who reconsecrated it to St Longinus in the 15th century.
A photo of a street in Hranice

The Czech-German tri-point

Accidents of geography have determined as much of world history and culture as anything else. Rivers and mountains became natural, then political, borders. The Czech town of Hranice used to be a meeting point between 3 countries.
A painting of St Margaret

Why does St Margaret always appear with a dragon?

I’ve have a keen interest in iconography and imagery. Regular readers will know I often write about these things. Sometimes I spot something I haven't before and, curiosity piqued, I look into it. Which is how I got to know about St Margaret and the dragon.
A photo of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary - Most, Czechia

The church that moved

We often hear of buildings being “in the way” of new developments. It’s a constant argument between conservationists and modernisers. Sometimes, ancient treasures are even lost in our quest to build our modern times. And then there are cases where people move mountains to preserve things, literally.