Prague is renowned for its rich and well reserved religious architecture. The Bethlehem Chapel, where the famous reformer Jan Hus preached, the best reserved in Europe Jewish Synagogues and Catholic Cathedrals and Churches - all belong to Prague's religious heritage. This walking tour will guide you through some of Prague's best-known Christian places of worship.
1) St Clement's Church
St Clement's Church is one of the most outstanding representatives of Baroque constructions in Prague. Jesuits built it in Clementius Complex. Its decorative sculptures belong to the great treasures of Bohemian Baroque.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kf
2) Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
The Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem, also Týnský chrám or just Týn) is a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague, and has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church's towers are 80 m high and topped by four small spires. The northern portal is a wonderful example of Gothic sculpture from the Parler workshop, with a relief depicting the Crucifixion. The main entrance is located on the church's western face, through a narrow passage between the houses in front of the church. The oldest pipe organ in Prague stands inside this church. The organ was built in 1673 by Heinrich Mundt and is one of the most representative 17th-century organs in Europe. The great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who worked for Emperor Rudolph II, was buried in the church in 1601. His beautiful marble tomb slab is located inside.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and BrokenSphere
3) St. Jilji Church
St. Jilji was founded in the 13th century by Bishop Jan IV. It is situated on a charming street near the famous Old Town Square. The church's altar is impressive, and the scenes of the crucifixion are breathtaking. All decorations are made of gold.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ludek
4) Bethlehem Church
The Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská kaple) is a medieval religious building in Prague notable for its connection with the Czech reformer Jan Hus. It was opened for sermons in 1394, and taught solely in the Czech vernacular, thus breaking with German domination of the Medieval Bohemian church. The building was never officially called as a church, only a chapel. In the 17th century, the building was acquired by the Jesuits. During reign of the Emperor Joseph II(1780s) converted into an apartment building. Under the Czechoslovakian communist regime the building was restored by the government to its state at the time of Hus. Most of the chapel's exterior walls and a small portion of the pulpit date back to the medieval chapel.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bkwillwm
5) St. Martin in the Wall Church
Built in 1187, St. Martin in the Wall Church was initially designed in Romanesque style, but in the 14th century the church underwent a Gothic reconstruction, which remained to this day. The historic setting of the church makes it well worth a visit.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and VitVit
6) Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral
The Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral in Prague, is the principal church in the Metropolitan Council of the Czech Republic. The existing structure had its origins as a Roman Catholic church built between 1730 and 1736 by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, archibishop and cardinal of Milan in the XVII century. In 1942, during World War II, the cathedral was the scene of the last stand of a number of Czech and Slovak patriots who had assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, theNazi SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General of Police. After a fierce gun battle, they reportedly committed suicide to avoid capture. Presently there is a museum in the church dedicated to them as national heroes. Karl Fischer von Treuenfeld was in command of the troops that stormed the church on 18 June 1942.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Cornell University Library
7) Church of St. Ignatius
Church of St. Ignatius is a Jesuit church built in Baroque style with a lot of statues of Jesuits and Czech saints decorating it. The church is set at Charles Square in Prague New Town. This is an impressive symbol of the Jesuits traditions.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and jmilles
8) Saint Stephen Church
St Stephen Church was founded by Crusaders. It is a Gothic building with a pyramidal roof, two chapels, a Neo-Gothic hall and a 57 meters high Steeple. Inside the church you will see valuable paintings and sculptures.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Rémi Diligent
9) St. Catherine Church
St. Catherine Church is a significant, impressive building in Prague’s New Town. It belongs to the group of the most attractive Baroque churches. St. Catherine Church has a remarkable fresco and a high Gothic tower.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Anton Fedorenko
10) The Church of Charles the Great
The Church of Charles the Great was founded in 1350 by Emperor Charles IV. It was built in late Gothic style, and afterward influenced by Baroque style. Pilgrims went to this church during the Baroque period. Today this building plays a significant part in Prague's architectural history, and contributes to the extraordinary panorama of the city.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Aktron
11) Church of Saint Ludmila
The Neo-Gothic Church of Saint Ludmila was designed by architect Josef Mocker. Many other renowned artists contributed to its interior and exterior, to the view of its portal, and to the two high towers at the entrance of the church.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Egg