Wenceslas square is the heart of Prague, of the Czech Republic, but not necessarily bohemia.Statue erected in 1887—Czechs are beginning to discover identity in 1sthalf of 19thcentury.National patron saint is erected in the middle of Prague—revival is successful. These people arenow erecting monuments to their past.St. Václav—born in beginning of 10thcentury. 1054: Church splits officially. The Schism. Beginspeaking abt eastern and western Christianity.Known for piety, meekness, and generosity. He is the “Good King Wenceslas.” Also known as ajust ruler. According to legend, was killed by his pagan brother Boleslav I. Was a martyr—aChristian killed by a pagan. Died as “a witness to Christ’s truth.” Concept of truth is a theme thruCzech history. “living in the truth” is preached by Jan Huss.No Church vs. secular power story—it’s a martyred Christian ruler. The combo of church andstate rather than conflict of church and state. The merging of the church and the state.The crown of St. Václav is the most important relic of this saint in Bohemia. The crown resides ina church across the river from Old Town Prague. Called Small Town Prague.National museum founded by Bohemian nobleman in 1818. Anomaly—after battle of WhiteMountain, some Czech elite was expelled, killed, most converted to Catholicism and becameGermanified. Their lands go to loyal Habsburg nobilities. Hence, fact that the museum wasfounded by Czech nobleman is an exception—founded by person whose desire was for theCzechs to begin, after 200 years of Germanification, discovering who they are. Make it a place toconserve, explore, analyze, and examine artifacts of Bohemian history.František Palacký—considered father of the Czech nation. He is a historian, asked tomanage National Museum. Writes The History of Bohemia: a political history. Kings, queens,princes, dynasties, wars, battles, and so on. Written in german. Shift from writing history ofstate to the histry of the people who live there. Radical shift of historiography. History is not thehistory of kings, queens, dynasties, states… but it is the history of the people. Ends the history in