The Church of St Nicholas dominates Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí)

Nový obrázek

The Church of St Nicholas dominates Malostranské Square. The church is one of the most exquisite baroque buildings anywhere in Europe and is built on the grand principle of interlocking ellipsoids.

All about St. Nicolas Cathedral in Lesser Town (kostel sv. Mikuláše na Malostranském náměstí) read here

Building work was begun on the church in 1703 on the site of an earlier Gothic church dedicated to the same saint. The order behind the building of a new place of worship was the Jesuits, who acquired the site through one of the most influential men in the country, Albrecht von Wallenstein. It was such an important building project that Emperor Leopold I himself came to lay the first stone.

In the first phase of construction Kryštof Dientzenhofer demonstrated his remarkable skills as a builder. He is responsible for the nave and the side chapels. The dynamic 40m-high twisting wavy façade and huge interior were the first architectural experiment of its kind on a baroque building in Europe.

Kryštof’s son Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, who took over the project when his father died, built the presbytery with its huge dome. After him, Anselmo Lurago added the slender spire in 1751-56.

One enters the church via an entrance, above which the Kolowrat coat of arms tells allcomers that they were significant benefactors when the church was being built. The vast ceiling fresco in the nave called The Glory of St Nicholas is by Jan Lukáš Kracker, and at 1500m2 is one of the largest in Europe.

It said about the fresco, that when the painter was working on it, he didn’t want anybody watching him. He only wanted the work to be seen when it was finished. But one of the Jesuit monks was so curious that would hide behind one of the church’s pillars to watch. However, the painter caught sight of him, and as a punishment he included him in in the fresco as a figure hinding behind a pillar watching everything. When the painter was finished and everyone was let in to admire the work, they couldn’t stop laughing when they recognised their collegue on the ceiling!

The fresco on the dome is the work of František Xaver Palko and depicts the Glory of the Holy Trinity. Palko was the most celebrated artist of his time with the possible exception of V. V. Reiner. The dome is 70m high and the spire next to it reaches 79m into the Prague skyline.

The nave is adorned with numerous late baroque sculptures, mainly by Ignác František Platzer. Probably the most noteworthy works of art in the entire church are paintings by Karel Škréta –The Crucifixion from the mid 17th century in the Chapel of St Barbora and the Passion Cycle in the church gallery.

In 1773, after the abolition of the Jesuit Order, the Church of St Nicholas became the main parish church of the Malá Strana.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Photo Gallery:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Contact:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

St. Nicolas Cathedral
Malostranské náměstí
Praha 1 – Malá Strana
118 00
Telefon: +420 257 534 215 – Psalterium
Fax: + 420 257 534 215
E-mail: info@psalterium.cz

Connection:
Tram: 12, 20, 22, 57 – Malostranské náměstí
Public transport
Find a connection

Opening times:

November – February daily 9 am – 4 pm (last seightseeing at 3:15 pm)
March – October daily  9 am – 5 pm (last seightseeing at 4:45 pm)

Entrance fees:
adults 70,- , children older than 10 years, students, 35,-
children up to 10 years and basic school groups incl. pedagogical supervision for free
Free entrance for prayers: 8:30 am – 9:00 am

Commentary in Czech is included, foreign language attendant is for extra charge – the guide is to be booked at least 10 working days in advance
guide service in Czech, English, German and French

Barrier-free access: no

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Map:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

načítám mapu - prosím čekejte...

Chrám sv. Mikuláše 50.088153, 14.403162 St. Nicolas Cathedral in Lesser Town (kostel sv. Mikuláše na Malostranském náměstí) St. Nicolas Cathedral  with the attached group of buildings is the dominating point of the whole Lesser Town Square. The cathedral belongs to our and European most beautiful Baroque constructions whose principle are the intersecting ellipsoids.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

DOWNLOAD: Tourist Guide in the Area

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Průvodce Praha 1 - ENG - úvodní stránka

  Tourist guide PRAGUE CITY LINE - Prague 1 (7,0 MiB, 19 334 hits)

Prague 1 still belongs to one of the most attractive parts of the whole Prague. Probably nowhere else you can find such a concentration of historic monuments and places where the history and romance of bygone times are all around you. Hardly anywhere you can walk on the same paths where were walking Franz Kafka, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Golem of Prague.

 

Other interesting links Read also

All about: Prague 1 Monuments more read here
All about: Prague 2 Monuments more read here
All about: Prague 3 Monuments more read here
All about: Prague Castle more read here
All about: Royal route and the coronation of King more read here
All about: Petrin Hill more read here
All about: Old Town Square more read here
All about: Jewish Prague more read here
All about: Prague Gardens and Parks more read here

PRAGUECITYLINE Prague 1

Discover the most beautiful sights of Prague. Review the educational route PRAGUECITYLINE Prague 1. All sights are described with lots of pictures.Click here

» More »


Traditional Royal Route

Take the traditional route of Czech kings. Discover the most interesting sights of Prague. Everything is described in articles and accompanied by lots of photos. Click here to get on the page of the Royal Route.

» More »


Prague Candy Festival 2017

The sweetest festival of the year in hotel Pyramida! All the sweets lovers are meeting at 8th April 2017 from 12 till 19 pm at hotel Pyramida where the second year of Prague candy festival is held.

» More »


ONE-HOUR RIVER CRUISE

A cruise is truly one of the most delightful ways to see the beauties on offer in the historical centre of Prague. During the cruise you will get unforgettable views from the deck, refreshing drinks and a fascinating commented tour.

» More »


Old Town Square

Come with us and explore the real heart of Prague. Do you know the secret of the Old Town Astronomical Clock? Do you know where to find the Prague Meridian and the meaning of the crosses on the paving stones? Click here and explore the Old Town Square on your own!

» More »


Enjoy a beautiful view of Prague!

The roof terrace restaurant Coda is open to all lovers of great gastronomy and unique views of the city. The terrace offers a 360° view of the entire Prague and looking at all the treasures of the Golden City.

» More »


Enjoy a sights and life in Prague - Download FREE Guides !

Discover the most beautiful sights and places of Prague. Discover the real life of Praguers. Enjoy prepared vouchers in guidebooks. DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDES !

» More »

« « Rotunda of the Holy Cross – centre of the unique urbanistic cross of the old Prague | Church of St. Mary of the Snow » »