Story #5 (part 1)
Libuse was not only beautiful and wise, but she was also confident, amusing, kind, and able to listen to others. She inherited from her father the ability to foresee the future and make prophecies.
One day, Libuse and Premysl, surrounded by their entourage, looked around with satisfaction from the rocky Vyseharad slopes high above the Vltava River. It was a mild late afternoon, with everyone happy with the rich harvest. The yellowing fields surrounded Vysehrad, and they were grateful for such blessings. One of the old wise men recalled loudly how Duke Krok sent messengers to find a place to build a new castle:
“It was such wilderness here, only forests everywhere you could see.”
They all looked toward the man-crocked index finger pointing across the deep forests covering Petrin and Strahov. They all stared for a moment at the smoke rising to heaven. Surely, the fire belongs to a lonely hunter, they all thought…
“It will be a long time before these forests disappear…”
…The old man said, but he did not finish his sentence. No one was listening anymore. Everyone’s eyes turned towards Libuse. They all stood frozen without any movement so they wouldn’t interrupt Libuse. Her cheeks were flushed, she was glowing with her inner light, and her eyes were open wide and beautiful. A sacred fear and reverence spread through the group.
Libuse did not pay attention to anyone standing around but stood alone in her prophetic spirit. She reached toward the wooded hills on the opposite bank of the Vltava River and said in a prophetic voice:
“I see a great city whose glory the stars will touch. There is a little hill in the forest, on the side of a small creek, Brusice, through a deep valley, next to a Strahov forest, and protected by a rocky hill.
In the middle of the woods is a man building a threshold of his house.
Build a castle in that spot and name it PRAHA. And just as before the house’s threshold, princesses and dukes bow their heads; even the most powerful will bow to the city that will grow here.
All honor and glory to this city!”
She finished her sentence and became silent. The glow in her eyes faded, and her spirit left her.
As Libuse said, it happened. The messengers left Vysehrad to look for the man Libuse described. After they found him working on the threshold of his house, they started building a big castle there. After the castle stood, they dug ditches, built high banks, and enclosed them with timbered walls. The castle was indeed very strong, looming proudly across from Vysehrad. As time went by, Prague Castle became home to Czech rulers. The majesty and beauty of Prague are still admired today by people from all over the world.
One day, rulers of some families came to Vysehrad and asked:
“Prince Premysl, we have an abundance of everything in our country – large herds, full fields of cops, abundant fish in our ponds, and plenty of wildlife in our forests. One thing we are lacking, tho, is – precious metals. What we mine is not enough: if we need more, we must pay a hefty price to buy it from our neighbors. You are wise, Prince Premysl. Can you find a solution? Could your wife Libuse help us with her prophetic visions? Maybe her sight will reveal where the gold, silver, and other precious metals are stored.”
Premysl listened to the men and asked them to leave the castle and return in fifteen days. When they returned, the prince and princess waited for them in the courtyard. Premysl started with these words:
” Listen, brave men and women of the Czech lands. Pay attention to the words of your princess; her words will enrich you and the next generations to come.”
Libuse rose and walked majestically through the courtyard towards the ramparts. The assembly watched their princess respectfully and followed her husband, who accompanied her to the high rock above the Vltava River. Libuse faced the west, stretched out her arms, and said:
“What is hidden in the rock, in the depths of the earth, will be revealed by the gods through my voice. Be careful; greed can easily be your country’s worst enemy!”
“I see Brezovy Hill and veins of silver in it. Whoever looks for it will find wealth there.
Then Libuse turned south and said:
“I see Jilovy Hill, which is full of gold. The strength and power are hidden with gold, but if your love fades, the strength and power will fail you as well.”
Libuse turned towards East and continued speaking:
“I see a mountain with three ridges and hidden silver under this mountain. The old wife’s tale says: because of these three ridges on the mountain, we will lose this metal three times and will find it three times.”
Lastly, Libuse turned North and said:
“I see Krupaty Hill. Lead and tin are hidden in its depths. This Hill is close to the borders; our guards must watch closely. If you do not watch closely, you will lose that area to your neighboring countries.”
She looked up at all rulers and men around her and followed with these words:
“There are seven precious metals in your soil and golden wheat in the fields. Your family will live here forever and will be strong and blessed if you respect your ancestors and their legacy, respect their work, do not bow to enemies, and are brothers to each other.”
To make this story as short as possible, I will divide it into two stories. There is so much I can translate. I will keep this story about the wealth of the Czech Republic and where it can be found. The end story is:
“You can be wealthy and have everything you want, but if you have no respect for others, your wealth means nothing!”
read more at Wikipedia
More Czech History Tales
and there you have it…. Enjoy the city and the whole country!!!!
Until next time…!
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