Reopening of basilica one of main events on St. Wenceslas Day

Czechs are on Tuesday marking Statehood Day, which falls on the Day of St. Wenceslas, the nation’s patron saint. Among the events taking place is the ceremonial opening after extensive renovations of the St. Wenceslas Basilica in Stará Boleslav, the town where St. Wenceslas was murdered in 935.

An ecumenical service is being held at the Wallenstein Palace in Prague while a guided tour of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul is being offered at Budeč in Central Bohemia; legend has it that St. Wenceslas was taught Latin.