Mlada

Mlada was a daughter of the distinguished Premyslid Prince Boleslav I and his wife Biagota. She was born between the year 930 and 935. There is not much information available about her life, the same case as with many other persons from that time. Nearly all the written sources are of sacred origin: “She is well-educated at the Holy Writ, devoted to Christian religion and decorated with virtuous manners” as Kosmas wrote in his chronicle, she was determined to divine services. All the events in her life are connected with the Church.

At that time, the Christianity had been present in Bohemia for a short time. Mlada´s father, Boleslav I, represented only the third generation of the Christians in Bohemia; in spite of this fact (or that is why?) he made his daughter to serve God from her early childhood. Mlada got a good education – reading, writing, Latin – which was a luxury at that time. She probably studied in Regensburg, but maybe also in Rome or Bohemia.

At the beginning of the 60s of the 10th century, she was sent to Rome to Pope Jan XIII to negotiate the establishment of the first monastic order in Bohemia and probably also the establishment of the independent diocese in Prague. It was not only the clerical matter; it was also of great importance for the power politics. At that time and by means of invasion, Boleslav I turned the Premyslid principality into a huge state. That is why he needed the support of the Church to consolidate his power. Moreover, Bohemia was controlled by the bishopric in Regensburg, not only as far as the religious matters are concerned, of course. The religious and administrative independence would thus be of a great importance for the Premyslid principality.
Therefore, Mlada´s journey to Rome was also partly a diplomatic mission that cannot be conducted by any person. Even the journey to Italy itself was very dangerous and physically demanding. We would like to point out that in that time Europe was one huge forest where the settlement meant a few clearings surrounded by the wilderness. Moreover, the ways as such did not exist, the ways of that time simply represented the idea of where to go. Mlada´s intelligence and eloquence must have impressed the Pope in Rome very much because in 967 she returned home as an ordained abbes. She wanted to become a nun that is why she stayed in the Roman convent of St. Agnes where she was ordained as nun Marie. In 970, she became abbess in St. Benedict order. The order had its seat in the new convent of St. George in Prague, which was the convent in Bohemia. The establishment of the convent was of cultural and social importance. The convents in general were centres of education and art. Moreover, this one served also as a refuge for single and persecuted women.

The bishopric in Prague was established during Mlada´s life (973), partly also thanks to her activities. Mlada died in 994. She was about 60 – at quite a high age at that time and she was buried in Marian chapel. The first wife of Boleslav II and other two abbesses – Anežka and Kunhuta – are buried there too.

Many centuries later, in 1673 (1675) her well-preserved relics were exhumed with the accompaniment of Loretto litanies and Czech songs and they were placed into the niche where they are still remaining. According to these relics, the silver mask of her face was made. This mask is said to have “a determined expression” which corresponds with the image of this strong and energetic woman.