Jul 16 2008
Prague Churches and Cathedrals
Prague Churches and Cathedrals
Prague, the city of a thousand spires has, predictably, many churches and cathedrals. The most outstanding Prague Churches and Cathedrals are listed here.
In Prague numerous of churches and cathedrals dominate the skyline. You just turn a corner and see a church or chapel. The “city of a thousand spires” has a lot of worth visiting sights from St. Vitus Cathedral to St. Nicholas Church and many others.
St. Vitus’s Cathedral is the biggest and the main church in Prague. Except providing divine services St. Vitus’s Cathedral was a place of the coronation ceremonies of Czech kings and queens. The first stone was laid in the year 1344 in the reign of Charles IV (favorite Czech King and famous Roman Emperor - Charles Bridge, Castle Karlstejn) and construction was not completed until the 20th century. Chapel of St.Wenceslas (popular Czech saint) is a very important place in the cathedral. You can see also beautiful entrance to the Crown Chamber with Bohemian crown jewels. Visitors can enter St. Vitus’s Cathedral in the western façade through the portal, between the Second and Third Courtyards of Prague Castle opposite the passage-way. Visitors will see above the south entrance to the cathedral (through the Golden Portal) the Last Judgment mosaic. Inside the cathedral in the square Chapel of St. Wenceslas (Svatováclavská kaple) there is a 14th century tomb with the saint’s holy relics. St. Wenceslas was the “good king” of Christmas carol fame in that time and prince of Bohemia. The Royal Crypt is very interesting for the visual history of the cathedral as it contains remains of various royals. The Wallenstein Chapel (Valdstejnská kaple) contains the tombstones of famous Mathias d’Arras and Peter Parler – two great architects, who died in the 14th century.
St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square has history connected with Czech re-catholisation process that followed the defeat of the Hussites in the Battle of the White Mountain (1620). It was constructed by the famous architect Kristof Dientzenhofer during more than 60 years, and his son, Kilian helped him. St Nicholas church is a grandiose affair, not only because of one of the finest cupolas in city, but also of a lovely facade and cherub-laden, lavish interior. Inside you can see beautiful paintings and sculptures that are certainly worth seeing. Famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played the organ in St. Nicholas Church. Throughout the year many concerts are held here. Everywhere, frescoes and pictures show the life of St Nicholas (Nikulas) who, gave gifts to children and women and the holiday is celebrated in his honor on 6th of December every year, with his gold statue also decorating the high altar.
The Church of Our Lady Victorious is the most famous pilgrimage site in Prague and all of Bohemia. This Early Baroque church is located in Malá Strana (the Lesser Quarter)on Karmelitská Street. The Church of Our Lady Victorious (Kostel Panny Marie Vitezne in Czech) is the home of the Infant Jesus of Prague - one of the most famous Catholic images in the world. Infant Jesus of Prague is a wax statue which is associated with miracles throughout history and whose origins are murky. The Holy Child of Prague was presented by the Habsburg patron Polyxena of Lobkowicz to the Carmelites in 1628 and is revered as a valuable Catholic relic from Spain. You can buy copies of the “Bambino” that are sold at the little museum in the church as well as on the Lesser Town streets, angering some of the faithful.
The Church of the Sacred Heart is located in a quiet green square in the Vinohrady district in Prague, and with its majestic presence securely anchors the borough into Prague city’s panorama. The building is a characteristic Plecnik work, containing classical, traditional Slovenian and Modernist elements, making a building of great architectural force.
You will see that besides the obligatory walk for many tourists to St. Vitus Cathedral there are many churches of note and considerable beauty in the city.