Olomouc, Where the Last Přemyslid King Was Murdered

An Unsolved Regicide

On August 4, 1306, Olomouc witnessed an event that closed a chapter of Czech history: this is where Wenceslas III, the last Přemyslid king, was murdered, and no ruler of the Přemyslid line ever sat on the Czech throne again.

The death of the 16-year-old Wenceslas III remains a mystery to this day. The man the guards beat to death on the spot as the alleged assassin probably wasn’t the killer at all. The murdered Přemyslid was buried in Katedrála svatého Václava (St. Wenceslas Cathedral) in Olomouc, which still stands and remains one of the city’s landmarks.

The Dóm of St. Wenceslas

St. Wenceslas Cathedral, also known as the Dóm, dates back to the early 12th century. Over the centuries it went through many reconstructions, and the last one, in the Gothic Revival style, left the strongest mark; its result is what you see today. The Olomouc cathedral has the second-tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, reaching over 100 meters. It also boasts the largest bell in Moravia, named after the cathedral’s patron, St. Wenceslas.

The remains of Wenceslas III were later moved from Olomouc and, sadly, lost. The cathedral still holds one more reminder of the Přemyslids: a marble tomb linked to the secondary Olomouc branch of the dynasty. Open to the public and well worth a visit is the two-story crypt beneath the cathedral, where many bishops, archbishops and great figures of Czech history are laid to rest.

The cathedral also has several chapels (such as the Chapel of Sts. Cyril and Methodius or the Chapel of St. John the Baptist) that offer a quiet moment as well as a look at superb works of art, from murals and tombs to altars. Some are truly exceptional, including the 15th-century sandstone statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. Today St. Wenceslas Cathedral in Olomouc is a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic and the home cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olomouc.

Don’t miss Zdíkův palác (Zdík’s Palace) either, the remains of a 12th-century building adjoining the cathedral, which you can see as part of the tour route.

Holy Trinity Column

Your second must-see stop is Sloup Nejsvětější Trojice (Holy Trinity Column), a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Don’t treat it as just a photo backdrop. Walk slowly all the way around it; each side shows different details.

Olomouc Fortress

Olomouc was a fortress town, and you can explore that chapter with your own eyes. At Korunní pevnůstka (the Crown Fortress), you can visit Muzeum Olomoucké pevnosti (Olomouc Fortress Museum), which shows how the fortress was built, what it looked like while in service and which military structures survive in the city and around it.

With kids, head to the Pevnost poznání (Fortress of Knowledge) science center.

Day Trip Ideas

If you have time left after exploring downtown, go further:

• Hrad Šternberk (Šternberk Castle) is 19 km from Olomouc.
• The zoo at Svatý Kopeček is a great pick for families with kids.
• The chateau in Čechy pod Kosířem houses the Zdeněk and Jan Svěrák Museum, with sets, costumes and props from their films.
• Restaurants in the Ochutnejte Hanou (Taste Haná) project serve traditional Haná cuisine, a good way to end the day.

Olomouc as a Game

You can also explore Olomouc as a team game. Treasure Hunt Olomouc leads your group through the city on tablets or phones with our GPS app, and the answers are found right out on the streets.

Each game keeps a team busy for 2 to 3 hours. The winner isn’t the smartest or the fastest team, but the most patient and observant one.

Planning a company trip to Olomouc? You can plan the day like this: a morning tour of the cathedral and the Holy Trinity Column, Treasure Hunt Olomouc downtown after lunch and a group dinner at a restaurant serving Haná cuisine in the evening. Send us your date, number of players and what you have in mind for the program, and we’ll prepare a customized game for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you see first in Olomouc? St. Wenceslas Cathedral, the Holy Trinity Column and the Olomouc Fortress Museum at the Crown Fortress.

Where did the last Přemyslid die? Wenceslas III, the last Přemyslid king, was murdered in Olomouc on August 4, 1306.

How tall is the Olomouc cathedral tower? The Olomouc cathedral has the second-tallest church tower in the Czech Republic, reaching over 100 meters.

Where can you go on a day trip from Olomouc? Šternberk Castle is 19 km from the city, and with kids the zoo at Svatý Kopeček is worth the trip.

How long does Treasure Hunt Olomouc take? The game keeps a team busy for 2 to 3 hours.