According to a legend, in around the year 1345 King Charles IV of Luxembourg rounded up a strong army and set out on a campaign against the Silesian prince Boleslav.
Boleslav was threatening the city of Vratislav, which belonged to the Czech kingdom. Charles’ father, John of Luxembourg, had received the city as a gift from Boleslav’s brother, the Duke of Vratislav Jindřich VI. Although he had no heirs, Jindřich refused to give the city to his brother, as they were sworn enemies. Boleslav, however, did not acknowledge the Czech possession of the city, and so the Emperor Charles had to resort to force in order to assert his ownership. His campaign was successful, and he forced Prince Boleslav to sign a contract undertaking to become a subject of the Czech kingdom, just like other princes. On Charles’ return journey, he visited Krakow in order to call the Silesian princes to Prague.
Unfortunately, Charles and his armies were stopped by flooding in Silesia. The Odra river broke its banks following heavy rain, and the emperor and his retinue could not continue on their journey. They were forced to stay at Zábřeh for several days until the river returned to its channel. At that time, the Odra flooded Zábřeh on a regular basis, causing considerable damage. The name of the settlement reflects this position – Zábřeh means ‘beyond the riverbank’.
To honour their ruler, the local people welcomed him in the traditional manner with bread and salt, and by repeatedly ringing the church bell. Charles was staying in the local fortress, which was situated next to the wooden church of St Mark. From his window he could see both the church and the Konopný pond. The army camped around the fortress, and also enjoyed the hospitality of the local population. For such a small village – with only 32 inhabitants – it was very difficult to provide board and lodging for the emperor and his numerous troops. Charles greatly appreciated their efforts, and as a mark of gratitude for their hospitality and the welcoming chimes he gave the local church the gift of a ‘silver bell’.
Boleslav was threatening the city of Vratislav, which belonged to the Czech kingdom. Charles’ father, John of Luxembourg, had received the city as a gift from Boleslav’s brother, the Duke of Vratislav Jindřich VI. Although he had no heirs, Jindřich refused to give the city to his brother, as they were sworn enemies. Boleslav, however, did not acknowledge the Czech possession of the city, and so the Emperor Charles had to resort to force in order to assert his ownership. His campaign was successful, and he forced Prince Boleslav to sign a contract undertaking to become a subject of the Czech kingdom, just like other princes. On Charles’ return journey, he visited Krakow in order to call the Silesian princes to Prague.
Unfortunately, Charles and his armies were stopped by flooding in Silesia. The Odra river broke its banks following heavy rain, and the emperor and his retinue could not continue on their journey. They were forced to stay at Zábřeh for several days until the river returned to its channel. At that time, the Odra flooded Zábřeh on a regular basis, causing considerable damage. The name of the settlement reflects this position – Zábřeh means ‘beyond the riverbank’.
To honour their ruler, the local people welcomed him in the traditional manner with bread and salt, and by repeatedly ringing the church bell. Charles was staying in the local fortress, which was situated next to the wooden church of St Mark. From his window he could see both the church and the Konopný pond. The army camped around the fortress, and also enjoyed the hospitality of the local population. For such a small village – with only 32 inhabitants – it was very difficult to provide board and lodging for the emperor and his numerous troops. Charles greatly appreciated their efforts, and as a mark of gratitude for their hospitality and the welcoming chimes he gave the local church the gift of a ‘silver bell’.
This gift was a great honour for the village and all of its citizens. The bell became the pride and joy of the Zábřeh parish.
The present day
The silver bell now belongs in the church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Zábřeh, because the original wooden church of St Mark was demolished in 1806–1811 to make way for the new structure. The bell has listed heritage status and is protected by conservation law. It is thought to be the oldest bell in the Czech Republic.
More details can be found in the article by Jan Procházka Arch-Diocese Museum has the oldest bell, 29 May, 2007.
The bell was featured in the exhibition Saga of the Moravian Premyslids, held at the Brno City Museum and the Olomouc Local History Museum in the summer of 2006. Due to its exceptional value, it was displayed in the chapel of the Premyslid palace on the site of the Arch-Diocese Museum in Olomouc. In the autumn of 2006 it was transported to the Brno fortress of Špilberk as part of the same exhibition, and can now be seen in Olomouc.
More details can be found in the article by Jan Procházka Arch-Diocese Museum has the oldest bell, 29 May, 2007.
The bell was featured in the exhibition Saga of the Moravian Premyslids, held at the Brno City Museum and the Olomouc Local History Museum in the summer of 2006. Due to its exceptional value, it was displayed in the chapel of the Premyslid palace on the site of the Arch-Diocese Museum in Olomouc. In the autumn of 2006 it was transported to the Brno fortress of Špilberk as part of the same exhibition, and can now be seen in Olomouc.
