Cathedral of St. Clement in Prague. Cathedrals of Prague

Church of St. Klimeta is located in the New Town. Inside the temple there is ancient Romanesque masonry and fragments of wall paintings telling the story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, his execution and resurrection.

History of the construction of the temple

In the 10th century, a pre-Romanesque church already stood on the site of today’s church. At the beginning of the 12th century, a Romanesque church was built instead for the needs of the parish of a German settlement, which was part of a suburban agglomeration. Since 1225, by the will of Ottokar I, the temple was transferred to the Dominican Order.

The Dominicans abandoned the temple in 1232, and it again became a parish church. As the territory developed, it was considered too crowded for parishioners, and after a flood in the 14th century, it was simply demolished. At the beginning of the 15th century, a Gothic church was founded.

Before the start of the Hussite unrest, the Church of St. Clement served the parish. During the religious wars it was plundered. After this, the temple underwent reconstruction: the main nave was extended, wall frescoes with scenes of the Way of the Cross were created. In the XVI–XVII centuries. reconstructions continued, but in 1784 Joseph II ordered the temple to be closed. The building was bought as a barn by the Novomestsky miller Michalowicz.

Until the mid-19th century, the building belonged to the Michalowitz family. In 1850, it was bought by the Calvinist Protestant community. The temple was rebuilt again according to the design of Franz Mix. The tower was increased by one floor and a spiral staircase appeared there. During the reconstruction of 1893, the main nave was also built on, the location of the windows was changed, and a new neo-Gothic portal was erected.

The last reconstruction took place in the seventies of the XX century. During the work, the wall paintings were carefully recreated. In 1980, a new organ was installed.

Church architecture

Now the Church of St. Clement is a single-nave basilica with a portal in the west and an altar oriented to the east. At the western end of the nave there is a vestibule; The main entrance is the southern portal. The facades are painted pastel yellow; The nave is divided by horizontal stone cornices along the perimeter. The roof of the temple is made in a simple hip-shaped form, cut through with dormer windows, and covered with slate.

On the north side, a 39-meter tower adjoins the nave; on its lower level there is a sacristy. You can climb to the upper floors of the tower - where the bells are located - from the second floor via an internal staircase.

The inscription above the entrance “The Word of the Lord endures forever” (1578) and the ancient Renaissance door (1609) are well preserved.

How to get there

Take tram 5, 8, 24, 26; 51, 54 to the Dlouhá třída stop.

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You've already let go. Now?
- You're being sarcastic instead of helping! Don't even know. Probably this time it will be a little more than two times for two hours. Let's say, “Half a day to Prague.” But what to choose? Paris street? Josefov Quarter? Wander around the Old Place? Which temples should I go to? Which ones should you leave for later? Good for you, you already wrote it.

– We are standing on Old Town Square. Let's get out of here and dance.

- I think so too. It’s just that here you want to go up to the Town Hall, and go to the Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn, and see the interiors of the Church of St. Nicholas. With this situation, we will be marking time in one place for half a day. I want to show people the city! Especially to the gentlemen who were not in the wrong.

- That’s your guide’s nature! Now I’ve climbed into the shoes of tour managers, whom we scold for all the world! How do you think they plan tours? The poor also struggle with what to turn on and what to turn off...

- ...how much money to put in your pocket for moving the mouse and hitting the keyboard! You know, not everyone is interested in religious interiors. Let me do this. A separate post on Prague churches, eh? Those who are interested will watch, those who are not will miss it!

Good! To St. Nicholas? Here he is.

This is the beginning of the 18th century, Baroque both inside and out. It once belonged to a Benedictine monastery, and now to the Czechoslovak church.

The Virgin Mary in front of Tyn also has something to boast about. I was surprised that the church looked Gothic, but the inside was Baroque!

- It's not just gothic. It was founded in 1365 on the site of two that stood here earlier, one of them was Romanesque. Because of its towers, it is probably the most famous and most recognizable. 80-meter towers appeared only at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.

And with Baroque everything is understandable - a fire at the end of the 17th century destroyed many houses on Old Town Square, and the Tyn Church was not spared. So it was covered with a new, baroque vault.

– Why is the name before Tyn?

Nothing surprising. It is located in front of Tyn - such an institution. Foreign merchants stayed there, and the city ruler provided them with security for a certain fee. But that's another story. Do you know what you and I missed?

I already know. Let’s tie a little knot as a souvenir, so that later we don’t have to go through the literature and look at our notes.

1. Tympanum of the northern portal, preserved from 1390, depicting the passion of Christ.

2.Inside there is a Gothic pulpit for sermons,

3.Gothic Madonna,

4. Gothic crucifix of the early 15th century (on the altar, at the end of the northern side nave),

5. The oldest surviving Prague tin font (1414). And, perhaps, also a stone canopy by Matej Reisek (1493).

You can’t shoot in the interiors, we’ll just see later.

The next outstanding Prague temple is the Bethlehem Chapel, which is also located in the Old Town.

What is she famous for? It seems like nothing noticeable!

Jan Hus himself preached in it! And after his execution - followers, preachers. The fate of the chapel is no less tragic than the story of Hus. What we see now is an accurate reconstruction of the 50s of the 20th century. It was destroyed at the end of the 18th century, and the remaining three walls were built into a residential building.

How spacious!

Before three thousand accommodated a person! And the pulpit was in the center for everyone to hear!

Now we have the Church of St. Elijah on Gusovaya Street. And again the same story - a harsh Gothic exterior and a lush Baroque inside. And only now the temple seems to be integrated into the urban development; you can’t see it in its entirety from anywhere. And in the Middle Ages it was one of the monumental buildings of the Old Town.

It is interesting that the interior decoration of the temple belongs to the artist, Rainer, who is buried here.

Yes, and you also removed the statue of Saint Martin of Porres (of Peru). I wrote his name down in a book. He is depicted with animals because he was a healer and did not refuse help to everyone, even animals, and alleviated their suffering.

Even sick animals came to Martin for treatment. He handled them easily and cared for them very much (which was incomprehensible to the Spaniards), extending his love even to mice and rats and justifying their habits with a feeling of hunger. The saint ran a shelter for cats and dogs.

Martin was a great healer, but his most famous story involves rats. The abbot of the monastery was a practical man and had no tender feelings for rodents. He ordered Martin to kill them with poison. Martin heeded his command, but he felt very sorry for the rats. He went out into the garden and called them quietly, and the rats immediately came to his call. He reprimanded them for their bad behavior and told them about the poison. He even promised to feed them every day in the garden if they stopped annoying the abbot. That's what they decided on. Martin released the rodents, and from then on they no longer caused trouble to the monastery.

- Interesting story. And we continue to get acquainted with Prague churches.

And he was punished for it! The set lunch ticket included all the Jewish temples, except Staronova, for which this trip was planned! What could I do now, buy a ticket and not go?

- I went, but I didn’t go there! Shall we include synagogues in the story about temples?

Hello, we've arrived! Tell us about them in the “beer” section, it will be great!

I'm not looking at you. I look at the synagogue.

Mayzlova –

was named after the customer Mordechai Maisel at the very end of the 16th century. Alterations - perestroikas, not without it. And during the occupation it was used as a warehouse for furniture taken from Jews sent to camps.

-What's inside? Books say different things. The old one says that there is an exhibition of a unique collection of silver items. If you believe the new one, then there is an exposition of the history of Jews who lived in the Czech lands from ancient times to the Age of Enlightenment.

You know, I don’t remember anymore, it was forbidden to take photographs inside. But I think this is one and the same thing - after all, this is an exhibition of religious objects that were used in worship in 153 Jewish religious communities and hundreds of private homes. Do you know where these things came from?

Tell.

You'll be putting in hairpins again, why did I go to synagogues?

Not.

The Nazis were going to set up a “museum of a disappeared people” in Prague. That’s why Jewish valuables were brought to the capital of the Czech Republic.

I do not know what to say. Let's just be quiet.

………………

This is the Old Synagogue. A good shot, the Jewish Town Hall was immediately captured in the lens.

And on the Town Hall there are already two tower clocks. The lower ones have a Hebrew dial. The text in them is written from right to left, so these clocks run “in reverse”, showing the reverse passage of time.

- And the name is Old New, because it was old, and then it was rebuilt and became new?

– There is a version that the synagogue was built on an old foundation. But I prefer this explanation: in Hebrew it was called “temporary” - Alt-nai. Translated into German it turned out – Alt-neu, and hence “old-new” in Czech.

– There is also a ritual hall here. For goodbyes?

- And not only. To wash the bodies of the dead. And what can you say about the fact that this building is from the 20th century?

I'll be surprised. Gothic stylization. Although, if you think about it and look carefully... Is this still a ritual hall?

It was until recently, until the end of the 20th century. Now it is a museum. What you have is a rather poor collection of synagogues. Well, at least there is Spanish. It received its current Moorish-Renaissance appearance at the end of the 19th century.

– Although a Jewish temple stood on this site already in the 12th century. They began to call it “Spanish” when Jews fleeing the persecution of the Inquisition came to Prague. Their ritual was “Sephardic” and different from the “Ashkenazi” who lived here. The Spanish synagogue served them for several years, and the name stuck.

– Even in Prague, in the same Josef quarter there is the High Synagogue, Pinkasova and Klausova.

In the Old Town we still have the Church of St. Francis. And Saint Salvator. We showed this photo in the story. Let's duplicate it, it's still not better.

– The dome of the Church of St. Francis of Serafina is the dominant feature of the Old Town. Here the Order of the Crusaders with the Red Star has already made its contribution to urban architecture.

- That's all? So boring? Tell us also that they built it on the site of the old, Gothic one. Don't forget about architectural analysis.

- Don't get angry. Not everything is so usual. Look how it's oriented. Not east-west, but north-south!

Wow! And it's true! This is clearly visible in our photo, the neighboring one - St. Salvator (Savior) has the correct orientation, St. Francis stands at right angles to it!

– And let’s say a few words about the Church of St. Salvator. He is a hundred years older than his neighbor. And if St. Francis stands on the site of a Gothic church, then St. Salvator grew out of a Romanesque church dedicated to St. Clement. Like the first church, this one is part of the Clementinum complex, a Jesuit university.

– Now let’s go to Malaya Strana to collect temples?

You know, I got an idea. Let's stay on this side of the Vltava and go to the New Place. There is also something to see there.

- Agree! First of all – Virgin Mary of the Snows!

It may not be the first thing, but it’s definitely worth visiting!

Listen, why is this temple called the largest in Prague?

Do not confuse! Not the biggest, but the tallest! This is true. Charles IV only CONCEIVED it in 1347, as the largest, in contrast to the Cathedral of St. Vitus. But it so happened that it was never possible to rebuild it completely. What we see now is just the presbytery of the planned temple. With an unusually beautiful vault!

– Is this a 14th century vault?

- No. That one was even higher, but collapsed in the 16th century. This one is Renaissance and has been understated.

Is it here that poor Prague residents came to listen to the sermons of the Hussite preacher Jan Zhelivsky? He denounced the corruption and bribery of church ministers and feudal lords. And from here he led the procession of his supporters to Charles Square in 1419?

When we are on the square you will see the New Town Hall, from where the rioters threw several members of the magistrate out of the window. Želivski preached in the Church of Our Lady of the Snows until his execution in 1422. But now we are talking about temples, let's not get distracted.

- Fine. Just look at the tympanum above the gate. You know, it was first placed on the church tower, which was demolished in the 19th century. It depicts Charles IV. I circled him.

We passed by the Church of St. Henry (Heidenreich). We go to Charles Square. See the Church of St. Ignatius. The sculpture of St. Ignatius on the facade can be seen from afar and the halo around the entire figure of the saint became the subject of disputes between the Jesuits who built the church at the end of the 17th century and the church.

- I remember. The halo above the sculpture of Christ inside the cathedral was much smaller than the halo of St. Ignatius, which became the subject of criticism. The Pope nevertheless decided the dispute in favor of the Jesuits, approved the size of the halo, and we still see it at the highest point of the facade.

Is the interior baroque?

What else could he have been like at the end of the 17th century?

– Now to the Orthodox, to Cyril and Methodius? Was he always Orthodox?

What you! After its construction in 1735, it did not remain a temple for long. After 50 years it was abolished and used as army warehouse. Only in the mid-30s of the 20th century was it acquired by the Orthodox Church.

– There is an exposition here too!

Yes, I already wrote about this in the report. Tell me what you remember. You were frankly bored at the museum too.

Sorry. You knew about it, but I didn't. And I didn’t realize it right away. Now I just realized. After the assassination of Heydrich, the fascist governor of the Czech Republic, in May 1942, paratroopers hid here. A traitor was found who betrayed them. All of them died in the tomb of the church, shooting back to the last bullet from the Nazis who surrounded the temple. And they committed suicide there. THEY HAD NO WAY OUT. The exhibition in the crypt tells about this glorious and tragic page in the history of the struggle against the invaders.

– Now – to the monastery “On Slovany – Emauza”.

We probably won't make it in time. We'll just pass by. Why is the name so strange?

- “In Slovany” - because it was the only one where services were held not in Latin, but in the Old Slavic language. The second name is also easy to explain. At its consecration in 1372, the Gospel about the meeting of Jesus with the disciples in Emauza was read.

- And the towers? Did Charles IV, who founded the monastery, come up with these?

– We pass by another church in Novy Mesto. St. John of Nepomuk on Skalka. But I had to go in. After all, his sculpture on the Charles Bridge was cast from the gilded wooden figure of John of Nepomuk.

It's a pity. But if we had entered the temple, we would definitely not have entered the Alfred Mucha Museum. But from the outside, the peculiarity of the temple is clearly visible. It is very unusual in that it is built on an octagonal foundation and its towers are deployed - one towards the other. Amazing baroque composition of the first half of the 18th century.

– And another temple nearby, unidentified. I couldn't find anything about him in the sources.

– This is all we saw in the New Place. Now we need to go to Mala Country. There is also no shortage of churches there. But few can compare with Saint Nicholas. And in appearance there is nothing unusual about it. You and I have seen more interesting baroque buildings in Ukraine. Look, in this photo the church is shown together with the bell tower. It is interesting that the bell tower belonged to the city, not the church, so it has its own separate entrance, independent from the temple. But if you go inside, it’s no wonder you’ll stay there for a long time. You can just admire it, or you can pay attention to the details.

– You know, I prepared the clip for half a minute. Anyone who wants to take a general look at the interiors should turn it on. But we learned about the details later.

You know, let’s do the “knot as a keepsake” again. And when we go to Prague again, we will make a separate post for St. Nicholas of Malostranski.

- Yes! The most important thing is to pay attention to the facade. It is decorated with sculptures of various saints. You and I will write down who is where.

– And inside you need to look at the main vault. There is a huge fresco “Glorification of St. Nicholas” - this is the largest fresco in Europe, 1500 square meters. meters created by Jan Lukasz Kraker.

And Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played the organ in this cathedral when he came to Prague.

And here's another interesting thing. The church was built by the Jesuits from 1703 to 1760. They sought to demonstrate the victory of Catholicism over the Czech people, whom they considered heretics. But in 1773, Pope Clement XIV dissolved the order, and they had to say goodbye to this beautiful temple, and the “heretics” began to hold services in it. Go ahead?

– To the Church of Our Lady the Victorious.

I didn't take pictures inside. And this temple has its own zest. It turns out that the church became the first sign of Baroque sacred architecture. Imagine, already in the first third of the 17th century!

– Its main shrine is a copy of the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary the Victorious. The image helped the imperial troops win the battle on White Mountain.

– And in the basement is the Museum of the Prague Angel. Do you know the legend?

This is the same wax image of the Baby Jesus that Maria, the wife of Chancellor Vratislav of Pernstein, brought to the Czech Republic from Spain. Their daughter donated a 47-cm figurine to the Carmelite monastery of Our Lady of the Victorious, to which this temple then belonged.

Absolutely right! The monastery began to receive numerous gifts from pilgrims to the Miraculous Angel, as well as clothes for the figurine. The museum has more than 60 types of different dresses, even from the East and South America. And the figurine itself has been constantly in the altar window since 1741.

If we had known in advance, we would never have passed!

So we'll go again. And now - to the Virgin Mary under the Chain. You and I only pay attention to the “most” churches. This one is one of the oldest in Prague, dating back to the late 12th century. The name “under the Chain” is also understandable. It is located on Lazenska Street.

The residential building of the monastery of the Order of St. John (there were such) was adjacent to the church on the north side. This building was adjacent to the Judith Bridge; Karlov replaced it. Previously, the streets were closed at night. The church was located next to such a chain.

– Before burial, the bodies of Emperor Charles IV and later his son Wenceslas IV were kept in this temple.

Look, is there a Maltese cross above the gate, and another one on the wall?

– The temple originally belonged to the Knights of the Order of Malta. The memory of this is still preserved.

– There is also a church of St. Joseph in Mala Strana. On the facade, above the entrance, the coat of arms is clearly visible. In it - the letter L - recalls the laying of the first stone in 1687 by Emperor Leopold.

– Don’t forget to mention Saint Thomas, that is, Thomas. The high tower of the temple is visible from afar.

– The most interesting thing is inside the temple. Copies of two paintings by Rubens above the high altar. “The Martyrdom of St. Thomas” and “St. Augustine.”

Are the originals in the museum?

Where else could they be? In the National Gallery.

– Of the main Prague churches, we still have the most main - cathedral St. Vitus at the Castle. And Loretta in Hradcany. I think I won't include them in this post. I’ll probably write separately about St. Vitus. And I’ll tell you about Loretta in Hradcany.

- You're probably right. I’m tired myself, and the readers are probably already exhausted. What will you call the next Prague part? .

You can take the metro to the Malostranska station. Then take tram no. 22 or 23 to Prague Castle. The temple is located in courtyard 3 of the complex.

Time to visit the Church of St. Vita (opening hours)

From November 1 to March 31, the temple is open for visits on weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 16:00, on Sundays from 12:00 to 16:00. From April 1 to October 31, the cathedral's opening hours have been extended by one hour. 20 minutes before closing, visitors are not allowed on the tour.

The tomb of the Czech rulers is closed for technical reasons; read about the time of its opening on the cathedral website.

From November 28 to December 24, 2016, pre-Christmas services begin in the cathedral. Holy masses will also take place on Christmas Day; find out about the times on the cathedral’s website.

Opening hours of the exhibition of treasures of St. Vita. In summer - from 10:00 to 18:00. In winter, the exhibition's opening hours are shortened by an hour.

Free entry, but paid inspection

You don’t have to pay to enter the temple building; at the entrance you can see the interior of the building. Traveling through all its secluded and valuable corners is possible only by purchasing tickets.

The temple management offers visitors two options for excursions: a free inspection and a paid excursion. The administration of Prague Castle organized paid excursions. Tickets can be purchased at the information center. The tour has a certain order and you need to follow it.

There are two types of excursions with a visit to the temple at Prague Castle: Circle A and Circle B. Circle A includes a tour of the exhibition “The History of Prague Castle”, Golden Street, the Powder Tower, the Church of St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Vojtech, Rozhmberg Palace, Old royal castle, Church of St. Jiri. Circle B included a visit to the Church of St. Jiri, Old Royal Palace, cathedral church St. Vita, Vaclav and Vojtech, Golden Street.

Prices depend on the type of ticket: full, discounted (children 6-16 years old, students under 26 years old, tourists over 65 years old) or family (up to 2 adults and 1-5 children).

A full ticket to Circle A costs 350 CZK, a discounted ticket costs 175 CZK, and a family ticket costs 700 CZK. In Circle B - 250, 125 and 500 CZK respectively.

To the exhibition of treasures of St. Vita regular ticket costs 300 CZK. Students, disabled people, and pensioners can take advantage of discounted tickets. This ticket costs 150 CZK.

Family visits are limited to a maximum of 2 adults plus children (1-5) under 16 years old. The price of such a ticket is 600 CZK.

An audio guide is included in the ticket price. The exhibition catalog costs CZK 490 and can be purchased at the exhibition venues. The capacity of the exhibition hall is limited to 40 people.

The six-century-long construction of the main cathedral of Prague (a little history)

The temple was founded by the patron of the Czech nation - Prince Vaclav. In 925 he built a rotunda dedicated to St. Vita. His right hand was granted to Wenceslas by the East Frankish ruler Henry I.

In the 11th century, the rotunda was replaced by a three-nave basilica. During the reign of Spytignev II, the basilica, erected in 1060, became the place for coronations and the last refuge of representatives of the Přemyslid family. It was the burial place of royalty and members of the Czech upper class. After 1344, the building also became a treasury.

The first architect, Matthias of Arras, only lived to see the construction of the gallery and arcades. In 1352, after his death, the master’s work was continued by Peter Parler. The young architect completed all the buildings conceived by Matthias (sacristy, chapel), and then added his own elements. A bold decision was the construction of a dome made of double diagonal beams, which created a unique ornament. Since Parler was a sculptor, he could not help but add sculptural elements to the cathedral building: cornices, busts of rulers, bishops, and architects who created the cathedral. Before his death (1399), the choir and part of the transept were built.

Under Charles IV, and in all subsequent decades, burials of the patrons and saints of Prague were added to the cathedral: St. Vita, Wenceslas, Vojtech, St. Zikmunda. In all subsequent construction stages, Baroque elements are added to the temple building.

The Hussite uprising of 1419 destroyed icons, sculptures, and paintings in the church. In the 15th century, Vladislav Jagiellon, the Czech king, entrusts the construction to the greatest architect - Benedikt Reith. But lack of money stopped construction. The holy relics and significance of the cathedral lead to the idea of ​​storing the regalia of the kings of the Czech Republic within its walls. The sacred symbol of the Czech state - the crown of kings - became the most expensive treasure of the cathedral.

The ancient parts of the building are being restored 500 years after the laying of the first stone in the cathedral - from November 21, 1844.

In 1844, architects Josef Kranner and Worclav Pesina developed a project for completion church building. From 1861 to 1866, Kranner supervised the renovation work.

After his death in 1873, Yosef Motzker completed the restoration of the temple, he achieved unity in such a complex structure. The last author of the architectural solutions of the temple is Camille Gilbert. On August 30, 1873, the new main altar of St. Vita. The decoration of the windows in the northern part of the nave was done by the sculptor Wojtek Suchard in tandem with the modernist artist Alphonse Mucha (1920).

To mark the 900th anniversary of the creation of the Prague bishopric on October 1, 1920, the restoration of the cathedral begins. Bible stories on the rose window were created by Frantisek Kisela in 1925-1927. At the end of the spring of 1929, the Cathedral of St. Vita officially opens. Six hundred years of construction has been completed.

The cathedral can be called the architectural dominant of Prague. From the appearance of the temple it is clear that it was built as the center of the Czech state. It became the burial place of the Roman emperors: Charles IV, his son Wenceslas IV, Ferdinand I, his wife Anna Jagiellonka, their son Maximilian II, Rudolf II. An aura of holiness permeates the cathedral.

On December 16, 2011, an exhibition of treasures of St. Cathedral opens. Vita. They placed it in the Chapel of the Life-Giving Cross (it is located in the 2nd courtyard). The exposition was organized by Metropolitan Vitus and the administration of Prague Castle. It is planned for 10 years. A total of 139 exhibits are on display; the relics are not included in the exhibition.

Watch and admire

The cathedral, with a main nave length of 124 m, has a Great South Tower (96.5 m). On the western side there are 2 neo-Gothic stone towers, 82 meters each. Between them, a 10-meter round window is placed in the form of a rosette. The cathedral has three portals with sculptures, reliefs made of stone and bronze.

Inside the cathedral, 33.5 m high ribbed reticulated arches are placed in the central nave. Stained glass lancet windows provide light into the choir in a medieval style.

The temple has a three-nave space on which 28 columns are placed. A gallery-balcony - triforium - was built along the perimeter. On the balcony are busts of the first builders and founders of the building, Czech rulers, their wives, and Prague archbishops. Inside the temple, on the sides there are entrances to the chapels. The sarcophagus of John of Nepomuk is a masterpiece of art: made of silver and framed in gold.

Under the main altar there is a crypt - the tomb of kings, queens, and church leaders. The central sarcophagus in it is the sarcophagus of Charles IV. In the chapel of St. Mary Magdalene is buried by Peter Parlérge and Mathieu of Arras. There are 28 chapels in total in the temple.

The bell tower of the cathedral is famous for its Zikmund bell. It was created by T. Jaros in 1549. It weighs almost 18 tons. According to legend, as long as it is intact, the Czech Republic will not face any troubles. The organ in the Rococo style pleases and amazes with its beauty and sound. And the figurine of a rooster, the “companion” of St. Vita, on one of the towers is a symbol of the gospel.

Going to the 3rd courtyard of Prague Castle, you will see the chapel of St. Wenceslas, Great South Tower, Golden Gate. Chapel of St. Wenceslas stands on the site of the old rotunda where King Wenceslas is buried. This is the most sacred place of the cathedral. An oak door with seven locks guards the Coronation Chamber. This is a sacred place.

The regalia of the rulers of the Czech Republic is preserved in the chamber: the crown of St. Wojciech. golden scepter, orb, king's robe decorated with ermine, golden Byzantine cross of Zawisza. The seven keys to the door are distributed among the President, the Prime Minister, the Presidents of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, the Archbishop, the Mayor of Prague and the Metropolitan of Prague.

A 16th century clock is visible on the Great Tower. Since at that time they did not know how to connect the second and hour hands, the watch has 2 dials. At the top of the tower there is a green baroque dome.

Only clergy of the highest rank can pass through the Golden Gate with a mosaic with scenes from the Last Judgment (they say there are about a million elements here). The mystery of the gate remains the Orthodox image of the crucifixion of Christ at the top (there are 4 nails on it, and Catholics believe that there were three). Astrological signs on the bars in front of the gate also raise questions: after all, astrology, according to church canons, is a pseudoscience. All the rest, mere mortals, enter the cathedral through the doors in the western facade.

We will see the history of the creation of the temple on the gate of the main entrance. On the left portal of the gate the life and deeds of St. Wenceslas, on the right - St. Vojtekha. In the Middle Ages, cathedrals were called the “Bible for the illiterate”: gargoyle statues and monsters - human vices - were placed on it. It is precisely these statues that the cathedral abounds in.

The temple library is also interesting: it contains manuscripts from the Middle Ages. The most ancient and valuable edition of the book depository was the Gospel of the 11th century.

From December 4, 2016 to January 12, 2017, traditionally at the Cathedral of St. Vita hosts the exhibition "Cathedral and Live Meeting". On it you can see the photo association “Man and Faith”.

It is prohibited to treat believers and worshipers with disrespect.

Men enter the cathedral with their heads uncovered.

It is not allowed to speak loudly or touch equipment, walls or the interior of the cathedral with your hands.

You cannot eat, drink, smoke, communicate, or talk on the phone in the temple.

You can take photographs within the walls of the cathedral, but without flash and without a tripod.

The attraction is closed to tourists during the service.

We told you what you can see in a building of this rank. After the tour, climb the 298 steps to the top of the South Bell Tower and enjoy the panoramic view of Prague and the sky above. The sensations from seeing the cathedral will be complemented by indescribable feelings of sublimity and perishability of existence.

One of the oldest shrines in Prague is the Church of St. Clement. It is located in Novy Mesto, between Klimentskaya and Novomlinskaya streets. The first temple on this site was built in the 11th century. At that time there was a small village here, where mostly Germans lived. It was a parish church, next to which there were two cemeteries. There was a school at the temple, where clergy taught children. In the 13th century. During the reign of King Otokar II, the church belonged to the Dominican Order for a short time.

In the XIV century. the old Romanesque church was dismantled after a devastating flood. In its place a new Gothic cathedral was built. In 1717, several additional altars were built in the church, one of which was consecrated in the name of John of Nepomuk. In my own way architectural type- This is a single-nave basilica with a tower attached to the north side. Under Emperor Joseph II, the church was closed, and the building itself was purchased by V. Miller for 700 gold pieces, who used it as a granary.

The revival of the temple took place after the building was purchased in 1850 for the needs of the Czech Evangelical Church of the Calvinist faith by Pastor F.V. Kossuth. In 1893–1894 The church was significantly rebuilt according to the design of the architect F. Mix.

During the last restoration work in 1975–1981. restorers discovered ancient Romanesque masonry and fragments of wall paintings in the altar. The plot of the frescoes tells of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, his execution and resurrection. The ancient Renaissance door from 1609 and the inscription above the entrance “The Word of the Lord endures forever,” made in 1578, are also well preserved. In 1980, a new organ was installed in the church.

The uniqueness of the church is given by its original tower. Its height today is 39 m. Until the end of the 19th century. she was 5.5 m lower. During the reconstruction of the temple in 1890, not only the height of the tower was increased, but also new connections were made and the walls of the structure were strengthened. The dimensions of the sides of the four-story square tower are 6.2 m.

Its first floor with Gothic vaulted ceiling used as a sacristy. The second floor can be accessed via an external spiral staircase. From there, visitors ascend to the upper floors via an internal staircase. The roof of the tower is hipped from the 19th century. covered with gray slate.

A visit to the Church of St. Clement will long remain a pleasant memory of the architecture and history of the Czech capital for every tourist who has visited this area of ​​​​Prague.

The Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn or the Tyn Church adorns the Old Town Square and is the main active parish in the area.
The temple stands out for its size. The height of the towers is 70 meters, the side naves are 44 and 24 meters, the length is 52 meters, the width is 28 meters. Inside the temple there are a number of attractions, including: 19 altars, painted canvases by F. Cermak, a tin font from 1414 with reliefs of the apostles, a statue of the Madonna and Child and much more.

The ancient, majestic Church of St. Marketa in Břevnov, founded by St. Vojtěch, can be called the same age as Christianity in the Czech Republic. The thousand-year history of the temple has changed the appearance of the small wooden basilica. Romanesque architecture, Gothic and Baroque completely transformed the church building. The main altar contains the relics of St. Marketa, the patroness of Břevnovski. monastery Benedictines. And in the magnificent bell tower of the 18th century the alarm sound of the oldest bell in Prague sounded.

Church of St. Salvator, former main temple Jesuits in Prague, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the early Baroque style, part of the historical and architectural monument Clementinum.
One of its main decorations, creating a unique ensemble, is two twin towers, which semantically complete the appearance of the church in perspective. The Baroque style of the temple and towers distinguishes this building from the general ensemble of the Clementinum: quadrangular, richly decorated with corner pilasters and cornices and octagonal finials, the towers lift the temple skyward and direct the church into the sky.
The towers of the temple, like the church itself, are a good example of the careful attitude of architects and builders to the earlier architectural tradition of Prague.

The simple building of the Church of St. Benedict, made in ascetic traditions, could get lost among large quantity magnificent sights of Hradcany Square in Prague, if not for its interesting history. It was built in the 14th century and served as the city church. In the 17th century, the temple became part of the monastery of the Carmelite Order.

During its existence, the buildings of the monastery complex became government agency, then a hotel, but then were returned to the church. Today, services are held in the Church of St. Benedict, and its main value is considered to be the body of the late Mary Electra, which has been preserved incorrupt for several centuries.

The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, built at the end of the 19th century, amazes with the richness of its interior decoration, beautiful ceiling frescoes and unique stained glass windows made by recognized masters of that time. It was erected on a significant date - the millennium since the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the lands of the Slavic peoples. The creation of such a church was initiated by the Prague Catholic community. The construction was carried out using donations collected by its members.

Unfortunately, getting into this church is quite difficult. It opens its doors to tourists only on the Night of the Church, which is held annually in May.

One of the oldest churches in Prague, built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and well preserved to this day. During its history, the church has undergone many modifications and reconstructions. The original Romanesque portal was demolished in the 14th and 15th centuries. Later, several Gothic reconstructions of the church were carried out. After fires and reconstruction in the 17th century, the church acquired a Baroque façade. In 1874-1879 the final Gothic reconstruction was carried out according to the design of Joseph Motzker.

For almost eight centuries, the church belonged to the Order of the Crusaders with the Red Star.

Church of St. John of Nepomuk on Skalce was built immediately after the official canonization of the Czech saint, the heavenly patron of the entire Czech Republic and, in particular, Prague. The temple building was built almost from scratch by the court architect Kilian Dinzinghofer. A striking example of dynamic Czech Baroque attracts attention with the rich decoration and relief of the facade, high bell towers and a staircase leading to the main entrance with sculptures on the parapet.

One of the oldest Prague cathedrals, the Church of St. Gall, was built back in the 1230s, at the beginning of the reign of the Czech king Wenceslas I. The past centuries have left an indelible imprint on its appearance. The cathedral, originally built according to the principles of the Romanesque architectural style, has been transformed over time. It acquired either Gothic forms or numerous architectural elements characteristic of the Baroque style. During its history, the church was both the center of the formation of Protestantism and a quiet temple on the territory of the monastery of the Carmelite Order.

This magnificent piece of architecture is located in the southeast of the second courtyard of Prague Castle. The chapel building is decorated with statues of angels and saints. But its true treasures are hidden inside. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is also called the Treasury, since in the mid-20th century it was adapted to display the relics of St. Vitus Cathedral. This treasury is the largest collection of valuables in the Czech lands. The exhibition was held from 1961 to 1990. The exhibition opened again in 2011 and will run until 2021. The Chapel also serves as an information center for tourists.

Prague is not the only thing that is interesting about Hradcany and the Old Town. The elite district of Vinohrady is very a nice place, reminiscent of Vienna. Locals even say that Vienna is a bloated Vinohrady. The architecture here is dominated by Art Nouveau, Bauhaus and Neo-Renaissance styles, and adherents of constructivism should pay attention to the unusual building of the Hussite church, created by the architect Pavel Janak in the 1930s. This temple stands out for its unusual tower, which is a reinforced concrete frame slightly more than 36 m high. In addition, the building is known for the fact that during the May uprising of 1945, the Czech Exclamation radio station hid here from the Nazis.

In the Czech Republic, outstanding personalities who played a significant role in the history of the country have always been treated with special honor. Many of them were subsequently canonized, and their names were immortalized in the names of temples. Thus, in Prague in the New Town, the Church of St. Vojtech, built in the 13th century, still functions. Behind its simple façade, which combines the features of several architectural styles, the church hides an exquisite interior, which is decorated with unique paintings and a statue of the Virgin Mary. And from its massive bell tower, bells have been ringing for several centuries, signaling the start of the service.

One of the attractions is the Hussite Church in Vršovice, a fairly young and historically important building in the Czechoslovak capital (Prague 10). The building of the Hussite Church is multifunctional: in addition to the main hall, there are also shops, residential premises, and on the ground floor there is a Jiraskov theater for 295 spectators with a separate entrance from the street in Kovarn. The theater has undergone a lot of changes. After 1964, for more than four decades, the theater lost its functions and appearance, and since 2005 there has been a gradual revival and reconstruction of the theater space. Today the theater has been updated and successfully receives its visitors. Also in the church building there is a room that is quite significant for the church - a columbarium (tomb), which has been repeatedly modernized and expanded.

Baroque in style, the Church of the Holy Trinity in the Prague district of Podskali was built in the 14th century. Over its long history, it has experienced the devastating consequences of wars and has been repeatedly subjected to numerous alterations. Located in the poor quarters of the city, the church either fell into disrepair, then was reborn again.

Despite numerous changes in the history of the church, fragments of Gothic frescoes, ancient religious furniture and utensils have been preserved in the interior of the building. And on its free-standing, low bell tower, the ancient bells of the outstanding Czech bell foundry still hang.

The building of the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brothers J. A. Komensky on Smíchov belongs to the late examples of the Prague iconic architecture. Its construction was completed by architects F. and K. Krest in 1931. The decoration of the church was a high tower and terraces, from which a breathtaking view of the city opens.

For the church community, one of the primary tasks was to work with children and teenagers from the nearby urban area. Church parishioners have a high degree of tolerance. Every year, on May 24, the Night of Churches takes place within its walls, and various competitions are held, including culinary competitions. At this time, oriental meditation music and African chants are heard here.

In the Prague district of Troy there is a very interesting attraction - an ancient chapel dedicated to the Italian nun Saint Clare, who lived in the 12th century. The chapel stands on a hill and this small miracle of beauty, grace and severity is clearly visible from all sides. The building was built by order of Count Vaclav Vojtech Sternberg in honor of his wife Klara. The square shape gives the structure clarity and completeness. There is a tower with a cross on the roof. The author of the construction was the architect Jean-Baptiste Matei. He worked in the Baroque style, in which the chapel in Troy was built. Visit this place very often local residents, and tourists.

History of the Church of St. Philip and Jacob in Smichov began in the 12th century. Previously, the Romanesque church was the main attraction of this then suburb. In 1749 this parish church was rebuilt in Baroque style, and in 1891 the old church was demolished. The new neo-Romanesque church was built on the territory of the Malvasinsky cemetery and inherited from its predecessor the baroque sculptures of Brokoff and the statue of the blessing Christ on the facade. Materials from the old church were also actively used during construction.

The Monastery of St. Agnes of Bohemia, located in the Old Town on the street called “Na Františka”, is a special cultural monument It's not often that important historical significance and unique architecture come together in Prague. The monastery is considered one of the oldest in Europe, built, moreover, in the Gothic style, so now it is a protected National Cultural heritage countries. Founded in the 13th century by King Wenceslas I on the initiative of his sister, Princess Agnes, and dedicated to the Order of St. Clare (the female branch of the Order of St. Francis), the monastery is shrouded in many legends.

The ancient Prague Church of St. Clement for its centuries-old history experienced many vicissitudes of fate. It served as a support for the Dominican Order, was a Catholic cathedral and even a grain warehouse, and now it is one of 24 evangelical churches in the capital of the Czech Republic. At the beginning of the 20th century. The temple found itself at the center of the ecumenical movement in the country. His clergy took an active part in the unification of the two Protestant churches.

The passage of time has left its mark on the walls of this temple. Originally Romanesque in its architectural style, the Church of St. Clement was rebuilt several times in the 18th–19th centuries. in accordance with the architectural preferences of each era.

The Strahov Monastery begins its journey after the emergence of the Premonstratensian Order. The Strahov Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary has undergone thousand-year history many reconstructions and changes. Today, the basilica combines several styles of architectural styles. Even the most demanding art lover will appreciate: gilded stucco on high walls, vaults and arches, a majestic organ, powerful wooden carved benches, painted color frescoes on domes and walls, paintings on marble altars surrounded by angels, depicted paintings of altars, a pulpit.

The history of some Czech churches is striking in its drama. This fully applies to the Gothic Church of St. Wenceslas on Zderaz in Prague. It was built in the 14th century to replace a Romanesque church in honor of one of the most respected rulers in the Czech Republic.
Over the centuries of its existence, the church has repeatedly passed from the Catholic orders to the Hussites. For several decades, no religious services were held there, and the premises housed a warehouse, a laundry and a prison. Today, the Church of St. Wenceslas again welcomes parishioners and tourists, who can admire not only the grandeur of the building itself, but also its picturesque interior.

The high tower of the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria attracts attention from a distance. Original architectural solution makes it look like a thin minaret of a Muslim mosque, reaching into the sky. A mixture of architectural Baroque and Gothic is organically intertwined in the appearance of the temple by Kilian Dinzinghofer, who restored the church in the 18th century.

The Church of the Archangel Gabriel was built at the end of the 19th century. What makes it interesting is the history of its construction: it was built not by Czechs, but by Germans who were expelled from a German monastery and found refuge in the Monastery of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, on the territory of which the cathedral was built. Far from being typical for the Czech Republic, the style is a classic example of the Boyron school of art, combining both severity and grandeur. In our time, the temple is active: the Divine Liturgy is regularly held in it.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on Słupa in Prague can undoubtedly be considered one of the outstanding cultural monuments of the Czech Republic. The temple is notable for its ancient history, according to which the church was built on the site of a pagan temple. It was erected in 1360 with the support of Emperor Charles IV. During its existence, the church managed to fulfill many roles, not only religious ones. At one time, it housed a Hussite garrison, a military treasury and even a hospital for the mentally ill. However, since 1995, the role of the temple was returned to it again and today it is an Orthodox Church.

Church of St. Salvador is a medieval building in which several architectural styles are closely intertwined. It can instantly bewitch you with its “heart of stone”, transporting you to past centuries, restoring in your memory the glorious history of the old city of Prague.
The Church of St. Salvador is like an oasis of the 17th century among the modern buildings of the capital of the Czech Republic. It recalls the reign of Rudolf II, the customs of the nobility and nobility, the clash of opposing views, both in art and in religion.

Founded in 1903, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Nusli is located in the building of a former primary school. The temple is dedicated to the patron saint of the Czech people - St. Wenceslas, during whose reign Christianity became the main religion in the Czech Republic. The small single-nave church is decorated in pseudo-Baroque style. The main attention is attracted by the high bell tower, visible from afar. The famous priest Alois Tylinek, chamberlain of the Pope, held services in the temple for some time. The highlight of the church’s decoration is a painting by the famous Czech artist Jan Cristofori, depicting the death of Jesus Christ around three o’clock in the afternoon in the clouds.

Cultural monument Czech Republic– Church of St. Norbert in Strešovice, built in 1891. The reason for the construction of the new temple was the rapidly growing population of Strešovice. Father Sigmund the Old, rector of Strakhov Abbey, decided to build a new parish church on the site of the ancient chapel of the Virgin Mary of the Angels. The temple is dedicated to the patron saint of the Premonstratensian monastic order, St. Norbert. The high bell tower is visible from afar. The classical building of the three-nave basilica in the shape of a cross was built in the neo-Romanesque style according to the design of the architect Yaroslav Kukht.

Next to the ensemble of the Benedictine monastery at Slovany (Emmaus) on Vysehradskaya Street in Prague there is a small ancient church of St. Cosmas and Damian. The appearance of this temple does not correspond to its true age: behind the Baroque façade you can find numerous traces of the Romanesque style.

Built around 1178, this temple is associated with the names of many Christian saints revered in the Czech Republic, including the heavenly patron of the country, Prince Wenceslas. In the Middle Ages, this was one of the few churches in the country where ordinary parishioners could listen to the divine liturgy in a language they understood.

The Church of St. Clement in Bubny is one of ancient temples Prague. It is considered part of the city's sacred architecture, providing a connection between the city and the Cosmos. Over its long life, the temple was rebuilt several times, and now it is an excellent example of a mixture of Baroque and Gothic architecture.

The Church of St. Pancras in Prague's Pankrac district is one of the oldest cultural monuments in the Czech capital. Although the modern Baroque temple was built relatively late, in the 17th century, fragments of earlier religious buildings have been preserved. Twice big politics fatally influenced the history of the church. In 1648 and 1773 the temple was closed or ceased to exist altogether, but was revived again and again.

In the interior of the temple, many works of art created at different times by the best Czech craftsmen and artists have been preserved to this day.

The Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius is a striking example of Baroque architecture. It was erected in 1736 and is one of the largest buildings in Prague.

Initially, the temple bore the name of St. Carlo Borromeo and belonged to the Catholic Church, but after church reforms in 1783, services were not held here. Only in 1933 the building was transferred to the Orthodox community and consecrated in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

In 1942, Czech and Slovak patriots hid within the walls of the temple and fought their last battle, killing Reinhard Heydrich. In memory of these events, in the crypt of the cathedral there is a museum telling about the heroes of the Resistance.

One of historical monuments capital of the Czech Republic is the Orthodox Church, which is located in the largest graveyard in Prague - Olsany Cemetery. Several dozen people worked on the construction of the church. There are mass graves and war graves near the Orthodox Church. Here you can see hundreds of graves of well-known personalities, which not only local residents, but also guests of Prague come to worship. To date Orthodox Church can be called the most visited place in Prague, because there are many mysterious corners around it.

Church of St. Thomas is an ancient monastery church in Prague, which is known for the intricate history of its creation. Dating from the Middle Ages, the impressively beautiful building combines elements of Gothic and Baroque style. Having stood for over seven hundred years, the temple is a most valuable historical architectural relic, which contains imprints of the events of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern times. The interior of the temple is striking in its beauty; once inside the building, it is unlikely that you will be able to stop your gaze on just one thing. Today, the Church of St. Thomas is open to the public.

The Church of St. Lawrence on Petrin Hill is based on the site of an ancient pagan sanctuary of the Slavic god Perun. With his help, the Christian Church not only destroyed the place of worship of the pagans, but also won many of them over to its side. Only at this temple was the ritual prayer service “Procession of the Cross” held. Majestic building cathedral The Old Catholic Church is a striking example of Czech Baroque.

In the Mala Strana area of ​​Prague there is an ancient shrine - the Church of St. John the Baptist on Pradl. It was first mentioned in 1142 as the parish church of the village of Uezd. This temple was built in the Gothic style and was reconstructed throughout its existence and at different times was a hospital, a coal warehouse, and a laundry.

The church has Romanesque windows, the inside walls are decorated with Gothic paintings from the second half of the 14th century, and there are several valuable paintings and sculptures by Frantisek Bilek.

Currently, the operating small church is at the disposal of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and services, weddings, and concerts are held there.

The Cathedral of St. Hastal is one of the pearls of the Gothic architecture of Prague. Built in the 14th century. the old temple survived fire, flood, the turbulent times of the Reformation and numerous wars. Time has only slightly changed his appearance. In the 17th century, the walls and tower of the temple were partially rebuilt in accordance with the architectural preferences of the new era.

In the interior of the church, many works of art and church utensils from different centuries have been preserved to this day. The fates of many of the country's most revered saints and the creative achievements of outstanding Czech artists and craftsmen are inextricably linked with this temple.

In Holešovice, the Czech Hussite Church is located in a luxurious multi-storey building. It is a little-known but extremely interesting monument of modernist religious architecture. The author of the project was the Czech architect Frantisek Kubelka. He personally supervised the construction.
For a long time, Hussite services in Holešovice were held in the open air, but in May 1927 the first stone was laid for the foundation of their future house of worship. Lack of funds and difficulties in implementing the project extended its construction for as long as 10 years.
And only in 1937 the ceremonial opening of the Hussites’ own temple took place.

There are no famous sights in Dejvice, but due to its favorable geographical location, the area is convenient to live and work. It is here that the monumental Hussite Church is located. It was built in the mid-1920s. and combines elements of various architectural styles. The interior is noteworthy with columns in the shape of palm trees and a large bust of Jan Hus. The ashes of the first patriarchs of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, Karel Farsky and Adolf Prochazsky, are buried in the temple in Dejvice. In addition, the tower is open to visitors and its balcony offers an excellent panorama of Prague.

On the right bank of the Vltava, above the Zbraslovska road, rises the Church of St. Philip and Jacob on Zlichovo. Built in the Middle Ages on a limestone rock, the temple is shrouded in the secret legend of Gorimir and Shemik. The temple building is an original example of early Baroque architecture. The bell tower of the church is visible from afar. The interior of the temple is an original mixture of styles. The main part of the decoration is wooden carved panels. Painting in the interior appeared only in 1875 during restoration work. At the same time, the famous “Zlikhov relief” of the 16th century was found.

A 55-meter square tower, topped with a stylized bell tower, highlights the religious building on Košířská Square, dedicated to the saint who is responsible for the love of the entire Czech Republic and the fulfillment of the wishes of pilgrims and confessors - John of Nepomuk. Single nave church in modern style is one of the most famous and most successfully implemented religious building projects of the Prague architect Jaroslav Cermak. Its construction was carried out during the difficult period of World War II and was even perceived as a manifestation of resistance against the German occupiers.