St Wenceslas Cathedral

Olomouc


This magnificent cathedral, the seat of the Olomouc Archbishop, was originally a Romanesque basilica that was first consecrated way back in 1131. It was rebuilt several times, before finally (in the 1880s) having the neo-Gothic makeover you see today. The cathedral hides some intriguing stories, including the 1306 murder of King Wenceslas III of Bohemia, at the age of 16, in the adjoining house. He was the last male ruler of the Přemyslid line, and the murder remains unsolved.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Olomouc attractions

1. Archdiocesan Museum

0.05 MILES

The impressive holdings of the Archdiocesan Museum trace the history of Olomouc back 1000 years. The thoughtful layout, with helpful English signage,…

2. Archbishop's Palace

0.17 MILES

This expansive former residence of the archbishop was built in 1685. Entry to see the lavish interiors is by guided tour only (a free audio guide is…

3. Regional History Museum

0.26 MILES

Housed in a former convent, this is part ethnographic museum and part natural history museum. One section focuses on the history of Olomouc from the 6th…

4. Museum of Modern Art

0.29 MILES

There's always something exciting happening at the region's most important art museum. Rotating exhibitions, scattered over two floors, draw from the…

5. Civil Defence Shelter

0.41 MILES

Olomouc is all about centuries-old history, but this more recent relic of the Cold War is also worth exploring on a guided tour. The shelter was built…

6. Bezručovy Sady

0.41 MILES

Bezručovy sady is one of several pretty parks that wrap around the old centre. The park has walking trails, playgrounds and secluded spots to admire the…

7. Chapel of St Jan Sarkander

0.43 MILES

This tiny, rounded chapel is named after a local priest who died under torture in 1620 for refusing to divulge confessions. It's built on the site of the…

8. St Michael's Church

0.46 MILES

This beautiful church on Žerotínovo náměstí dates from the 13th century, and was given the current baroque makeover from 1676 to 1703. The church is…