St. Vitus Cathedral
Located at the Prague Castle, this is one of the most visited churches in the city. The construction took centuries to complete and one will notice the Gothic masterpiece, which is a spiritual symbol of Prague. Construction began in 1344 commissioned by Charles IV and reached its final phase of construction between 1873-1929. This cathedral serves importance as it has coronated the many Czech kings and queens.
III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1, Czechia
Founded in 1385, Tyn served as the Old Town’s Church. Some claim its history dates further back, but if searching for history, this is one church to visit. The Hussites controlled the church in the early 15th Century. Sadly, this was a period of history where Roman Catholics slaughtered the Hussites, which led to the Jesuits to take control. The Jesuits replaced the Hussites symbol with a figure of Mary nailed between the towers. If you look closely, the Towers are not symmetrical. One tower, Adam, is larger than the other, Eve. A fire occurred in 1679, which resulted in the Baroque-style of reconstruction. The organ dates back to 1673 and is the oldest in Prague.
Old Town Square, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic
St. Nicholas is a Baroque-style church, and the largest of three St. Nicholas churches in Prague. This is the largest of the Jesuit churches in town. Records date back to 1283 where a former parish one stood ground before the new construction in 1703. From painted vaulted ceilings to grandiose statues, this is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. One interesting fact is that Mozart played on this organ in 1787.
Malostranské nám., 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana, Czechia
Seventy years after the construction of Prague castle, the town built this church and fortified trading post. In 1085, orders from Vratislav II, prince of Bohemia’s founding Premyslid dynasty, constructed what the locals called, the “Castle on the Heights.” The interior is worth exploring and is more detailed than its modest exterior. Many Czech artists, musicians and politicians are buried in the adjacent cemetery.
V Pevnosti 5b, Vysehrad, Prague 2
This won’t be the most colorful church you’ll ever lay your eyes on, but it’s history is fascinating. The 17th Century Church is the largest evangelical church in the city. The church was founded by German Lutherans who laid stones for its foundation in 1611. The church changed owners throughout history, where the Evangelicals purchased the church in 1863. The white interior and exterior boasts a sense of purity amidst these holy walls. Marvel at the detailing, the perfection is divine.
St. Salvator Church Charles Bridge
Krizovnicke namesti 2, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic
This tiny and well-preserved Romanesque church dates back to the 1178-1187 during the settlement of the Ujezd. The church was divided into two in the 13th Century during the construction of the Old Town walls. During the 14th-15th Century, the church was reconstructed in Gothic style, which is what you still see today. It occasionally opens for classical music events.
Martinska 8, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic
The beautiful interior tricks visitors into thinking that this church is as ancient as the city itself. In fact, this is one of the youngest churches in town. Built between 1854-1863, many are interested in this church due to its World War II connection. In May 1942, two Czech paratroopers were ordered by the government to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, a Bohemian puppet state’s Nazi overseer. The paratroopers and others who assisted in the plot fled to the crypt of the Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and Methodius. A partisan betrayed the plot, and told Germans, who tried to shoot their way into the crypt and then flush the men out with water. To end the drama, the resistance fighters committed suicide, as there was no other escape besides surrendering to the Nazis. This led to hundreds of innocent people, and the village of Lidice, to lose their lives. The church contains plaques and a timeline of the event.
Resslova 9a, 120 00 Praha 2-Nové Město, Czechia
Built between 1711-1715, this Barque-style church replaced a former Gothic church destroyed in the 15th Century. The fine details from the organ loft to the pillars require attention as there are not many places left on the planet that have this type of fine and detailed handwork. It operates as a Greek Orthodox Church and features concerts throughout the year.
Karlova 1, Old Town, Prague 1, Czech Republic
What's your favorite church in Prague? Each one is unique in its history, architecture and design and I recommend seeing as many as possible!
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