Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ludmila of Bohemia



September 16th is the feast day of St Ludmila, celebrated in the Czech Republic. J and I had a chance to see her tomb located in the St. George Basilica while visiting Prague. We are still trying to figure out if the bones in the photo are real!
St Ludmila and her husband the duke were baptized and converted to Christianity in the 9th century, however, they were not welcome in their home land for some time because of it. She was later murdered by her dead son's wife Drahomira, due to the impact Ludmila had on Drahomira's young son, who was a ruler at that time. Old story says that Ludmila was strangled with her own veil! Very convoluted story!
St George's Basilica, where St Ludmila's remains are, was built in 920 and clearly re-done a few times. Now the exterior is kept in the Baroque style.

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