pramen svatého Václava Fountain

Welcome to Semilos. You are standing in front of one of the most interesting local treasures that offers you a moment of peace and a view of history hidden in stone and running water. The pramen svatého Václava stands before your eyes. Notice how this stone structure fits into the surrounding terrain. It cannot be in an equal place, but must adapt to the complex, weighted surface of the ground on which it stands. This discrepancy of terrain gives the whole place a special dynamic and the feeling that this monument is returning directly to nature and the natural decline of the earth. Behold the solid matter of the stone that resists time and weather. It's a fascinating view of how human work can use what nature gives us and give it a firm and lasting form.

In order to fully understand the importance of this place, we must go back deep into the past together. To understand why this place is so important, we need to go back deep into the past. Already in the 1970s, the eighteenth century, people knew there was water in this area. The spring was known here long before it was anchored in the form you see today. At that time it was mainly a natural resource that was necessary for the surrounding population. The first big step to becoming a solid stone well was made by a man named Petr Hýrka. This happened in '57 in the nineteenth century. That's when something permanent began to be built here to serve people for many generations. Petr Hýrka was a man who understood the need to have stable and reliable access to water in this part of the city. His work was the basis on which later builders could continue to work.

Now pay attention to the very form of this building and how it changed over time. Although we do not know the names of those who designed the first stone foundation, we can see in his figure the pursuit of endurance. Note, however, how this resemblance changed over the years. In ninety-four, shortly after seventy-seven in the nineteenth century, there was a fundamental change that gave what you see today's face. Václav Zákoucký, a man with a great vision, has performed a large reconstruction here. It is thanks to his work and his modifications that the fountain has acquired its present, balanced appearance. Zakoucký did something very important here. He added to the entire construction of the statue of St. Wenceslas. Look at her now. This statue is not only an ornament, but it is a key element that gives the whole place a spiritual dimension and combines this water source with the most important figure in our history. This statue has become a dominance that reminds people of the protection and sanctity of this place.

Now let's think about the people who left their trail. Petr Hýrka and Václav Zákoucký are two names you must know in connection with this spring. While Hýrka was the one who gave the water a fixed path through the stone well, Zukoucký was the one who brought the artistic feeling to this place and created a whole that now calls us that. While their work took place in various parts of the nineteenth century, it combines them with a common goal - to create a place not only useful, but also beautiful. This connection between two men who worked at different times, but in the same place, creates an invisible thread that leads us through centuries.

Notice exactly where you are. You are standing on Jílovická Street, in a place that is strategically located northeast of St. John the Baptist Church. This proximity to the church underlines the religious and historical importance of the whole area. It's where the daily life of the city meets the spiritual world. Which is why this monument is so valuable. It is an incredible thing that this spring and this fountain have been protected as a cultural monument since the year one thousand nine hundred sixty-four. This means that the state and people realized how important this stone unit is to our identity and to Semil's history. It is proof that even a small thing like a stone fountain can be of great value if it is preserved for future generations.

The interesting thing you may not realize when you look at this spring is how much this place has become a symbol of stability. While the world around you was changing, while the streets, buildings and people were changing, this spring and its stone form remained true to their purpose. It's one of those little points where you can feel the connection to the people who stood here before you hundreds of years ago. You can imagine people stopping here to take water, or people meeting here in the nineteenth century at Peter Hýrka's new, solid well. This continuity is something we are looking for in today's rapidly changing world.

Now that you know the story of this place, I suggest you enjoy silence for a while and observe the detailed work in the stone. Feel the atmosphere of this place, which is integrated into the swarming ground. It's a place that requires attention and humble sight. Every stone here has its own speech, and every drop of water reminds of the long journey that this spring has traveled since the 193rd 18th century until today.

Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this spring of St. Wenceslas. We hope that this brief insight into the past has brought you new insights and that the history of Semil will continue to fascinate you. Continue to walk around our city and let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the other places you will find here. We wish you a pleasant continuation in discovering our historical treasures. Goodbye.