Paths of architects, construction societies and Czech kings

12–13th Century A.D.

A significant chapter of the High Middle Ages is the “age of Gothic cathedrals,” which in the west and also on our territory illustrates the privileged position of spiritual power of the Christian culture and the humility of secular rulers towards the Church. Christianity, alongside with the Gothic style settles in the Czech and Moravian countryside. The development and flourishing of the Bohemian kingdom in the Middle Ages is stimulated by the superabundant silver deposits in the country. The search for “The glory of God”, however, does not lie only with the Crusades, but also in the care for the needy and poor, as shown by two noble women – St. Agnes of Bohemia and St. Zdislava of Lemberk.

Further improvements in mathematics, geometry and architecture, the translation of many Greek and Arab works, the increase of power of the Church, but also “the rediscovery of nature” brought a new style – Gothic. The Gothic style does not want to compete and win over the statics (as it is with the Romanesque style), but instead, cooperates with it, so that majestic Cathedrals (“the flagships” of the Gothic style) may grow in a mutual symbiosis. Such cooperation allows the emergence of the large cathedral windows decorated with stained glass, which provide another option for telling stories through images (the teachings of the Church Fathers and Councils). And so the cathedral (and inspired by the cathedral also – the Gothic churches, chapels and monastic buildings) could become the reflection of the “Heavenly Jerusalem” - the holy and eternal city of God. The way to God in Gothic art does not lead through symbols (Romanesque art), but through the living reality, which is the image of the reality of heaven, in the same way as is man the image of God. And for that reason, Gothic sculpture is no longer seen only as part of the building, but becomes fully independent with the figures reflecting more of the image of the real models. Gothic paths in Bohemia and Moravia are crisscrossed first by the Cistercians - “the missionaries of Gothic” - and then the construction societies with their masters and bold plans (for example - the famous construction society of Peter Parler). Gothic monuments, which are inspired in particular by France and Germany can be seen in the capital city of Prague, but also in many other towns (not only the royal towns) in Bohemia and Moravia (Kolín, Kutná Hora, Jihlava, Plzeň, České Budějovice, Olomouc, Znojmo), and also in Premonstratensian monasteries (in Teplá – the first Gothic structure) or Cistercian monasteries (Vyšší Brod and Zlatá Koruna). The gothic architecture has also taken root in the Czech countryside thanks to increased efforts in the construction of Churches (for example - “Podlipnické kostely”). These churches arise along with the parishes under the ecclesiastical authority which at that time had more power than the secular one. Just like elsewhere in Europe – the central dispute of the Middle Ages between the secular and ecclesiastical powers about whether the bishops and other Church dignitaries are chosen by the King or the Church (i.e. the struggle for investiture) – was also won here by the Church when Bishop Andrew of Prague in 1222 agreed with Ottokar I of Bohemia on “The Great privilege of the Czech Church “.

The Czech Kingdom

This concession, however, did not have to burden Ottokar I of Bohemia (The Přemyslid ruler) very much because the emperor has already granted the “Golden Bull of Sicily” to the Přemyslids 10 years before that. This decree declared him and his heirs - Kings of Bohemia. The expansion of the influence of the Bohemian Kingdom continues to grow, partly due to the discovery of silver deposits in Kutná Hora - then the richest in all of Europe. The Czech Kingdom is experiencing the “silver” era of medieval culture, Gothic architecture and the development of many towns, castles and villages when it is under the baton of iron and gold kings. The first mention about the communities in Bohemia and Moravia can be found in inventories specifically from this period. There are new orders coming to Bohemia in the 13th century: Franciscans with the ideal of poverty, and the Dominicans with their mission of guarding the orthodoxy of the Catholic faith.

The growing influence and wealth of the Přemyslid rulers contrasts with the story of the youngest daughter of King Ottokar I and Constance of Hungary – Princess Agnes, who inspired by Elizabeth of Hungary decided to dedicate her life to caring for the sick and the needy. She founded the St. Francis Hospital in Prague and became a superior of the new convent of the Poor Clares. For the rest of her life – a life she filled with selfless assistance, love and humility – she asked to just be called “the older sister”. It was no coincidence that another noble woman – Zdislava of Lemberk – walked in the same footsteps. Although she had a husband, and raised four children, she vigorously joined in building monasteries and a hospital in Turnov and Jablonné v Podještědí. Both women can be an example to us in that wealth should not be primarily a tool to gain political power, but should be used instead for acts of love and mercy.