Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Baroque basilica in Stará Boleslav, Czech Republic.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Stará Boleslav is a baroque structure with visible elements from multiple construction periods. Inside, several chapels feature painted decorations that fill the interior with religious imagery and artistic detail.
The present church replaced an older Gothic building that could no longer hold the growing number of pilgrims. It was built in 1613–1625, probably to a design by the Italian architect Giovanni Maria Filippi, under Jakub de Vaccani, funded by the local chapter of Sts Cosmas and Damian with support from Emperor Matthias. The north tower was finished in 1675 by Abraham Leuthner; Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer designed the south tower (1748–1749) and the west facade (1736).
The church keeps the Palladium of the Czech Land, a metal relief of the Madonna that pilgrims have venerated for centuries; a tradition holds it was ploughed up in a field in 1160. On 28 September 2014 it was crowned with three crowns blessed in Rome by Pope Francis. The ambits behind the east end carry wall paintings by Václav Kramolín from 1775 showing the Palladium's history and miracles.
The basilica is open daily for private prayer from 10:00 to 17:00, and regular services are held there. Guided tours of the basilica, the Palladium of the Czech Land and the treasury are arranged by the Information and Cultural Centre of Stará Boleslav during its opening hours.
The Palladium of the Czech Land, a Gothic metal relief of the Madonna from the mid-14th century, is kept in the church; tradition holds it was ploughed up in a field in 1160. In 2014 it was crowned with three crowns blessed in Rome by Pope Francis.
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