The Legend of How Olomouc Was Founded – From Ancient Forests to Julius Caesar

This is about the city of Olomouc – the city in the central Moravia and the sixth most populated city in the Czech Republic.

Long before Olomouc became one of the most beautiful and historic cities of Czechia, the landscape of Moravia looked completely different. Vast primeval forests stretched from the mountain ranges down into fertile lowlands. Rivers branched into countless arms, forming wetlands full of fish, crayfish, and wildlife. There were no towns, no villages—only scattered settlements of early inhabitants who moved from place to place, always seeking safer, more fertile ground.

It was a wild, ancient land, rich in nature but dangerous and largely unknown.

A Land Between Civilizations

During the flourishing period of the Roman Empire, the territory of today's Moravia was inhabited mainly by Germanic tribes, and perhaps also by Celts. The northern border of the empire lay along the Danube River. Roman merchants, soldiers, and scouts regularly traveled beyond this frontier—into the mysterious lands of the north—to trade goods like jewelry, salt, weapons, glass, and spices. In exchange, they brought back furs, leather, grain, livestock, and other raw materials.

Travel in those days was dangerous. Roads were rough or barely roads at all. Bandits often attacked caravans, forcing merchants to travel armed and in groups. Naturally, resting places and small fortified settlements gradually appeared near fords, river crossings, and crossroads. These became natural hubs for trade, protection, and meeting.

One such ancient route led through the Morava River valley, where—according to legend—the foundations of Olomouc would one day be laid.

A Rocky Ridge Above the River

Where the rivers Morava and Bystřice meet, a distinctive rocky ridge rises slightly above the otherwise flat landscape—three small hills clustered together. In prehistoric times, these hills formed a natural island surrounded by wetlands and shallow river branches. The place offered safety, visibility, and control over a nearby ford.

People lived here continuously from the Stone Age onward. The site was strategic, fertile, and defensible—qualities that would soon catch the attention of an unexpected visitor.

The Arrival of Julius Caesar

According to the legend, sometime around 57 BCE, a group of Roman cavalry rode northward from the Danube, exploring the unknown territories. At their head was a tall, dignified man in ornate armor: Gaius Julius Caesar himself. Though historians cannot confirm his presence this far north, the legend insists that Caesar was fascinated by these distant lands and decided to see them with his own eyes.

As the Roman riders approached the rocky ridge, they heard noise—voices, shouting, the bustle of a marketplace. Caesar sent scouts ahead, who soon returned with reassuring news: below the hill lay a small settlement, currently holding a lively market. There was no danger.

Curious, Caesar rode to the highest of the three hills. From there he saw a breathtaking view: river branches shimmering in the sun, dense floodplain forests stretching into the distance, and small patches of cultivated land scattered among primitive dwellings. He noticed how the water nearly surrounded the ridge, making it a naturally secure site.

The strategist in him immediately understood its potential.

Julimons — The First Fortified Stronghold

Caesar ordered his soldiers to rest, water their horses, and fortify the hill. They dug moats and raised earthen ramparts strengthened with wooden palisades. This new military outpost was named Julimons or Julimontium—"Caesar's Hill."

The legend claims that this name, over centuries of linguistic evolution, slowly transformed into Olomouc.

Roman presence here supposedly continued until the fall of the empire. Even after they departed, local tribes sometimes reused the existing fortifications. And while archaeologists debate how much of the legend is true, one thing is certain: the site of Olomouc has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, and its strategic importance has never faded.

A City Born From Legend

Today, Olomouc stands as one of Czechia's most elegant historic cities—filled with baroque fountains, grand squares, university life, and centuries of culture. But according to the old Moravian tale, its story began with a chance encounter between Roman explorers and a rocky, river- surrounded hill that captured Julius Caesar's imagination.

Whether myth or history, the legend beautifully reflects Olomouc's character: ancient roots, strategic strength, and timeless charm.