PLACES OF WORSHIP
1. St Vitus Cathedral
The current building, looming majestically over the castle complex, is a combination of architectural styles and took almost 600 years to complete. In days of old, the cathedral was the setting for spectacular Bohemian coronations conducted by Prague’s archbishops. It is also the final resting place of the saints John of Nepomuk and Wenceslas, as well as scores of other Czech worthies.
Stained glass at St Vitus Cathedral
2. Loreta
At the heart of this elaborate shrine to the Virgin Mary is the Santa Casa – a reproduction of the house where Mary received the Angel Gabriel. Loreta treasury The Loreto holds several priceless monstrances (open or transparent receptacles) and other artifacts.
3. Old-New Synagogue
Prague’s Orthodox Jewish community still holds services in this 13th-century synagogue, which is the oldest in Central Europe. Its curious name may come from the Hebrew Al-Tenai, meaning “with reservation”. Legend has it that its (see Old-New Synagogue) stones will eventually have to be returned to Jerusalem, whence they came.
4. St Nicholas Church, Malá Strana
The Malá Strana church clock tower and dome upstage its namesake across the river. The splendid Baroque sanctuary (see St Nicholas Church) was meant to impress Catholic sceptics of the might of Rome.
5. Church of our Lady Victorious
This Baroque church contains the famed statue (see Church of Our Lady Victorious) of the Infant Jesus of Prague. The wax baby doll is credited with miraculous powers. The resident Order of English Virgins look after the statue and change his clothes.
6. Basilica of St James
This is an active place of worship. The Baroque façade (see Basilica of St James) is awash with cherubs and scenes depicting episodes from the lives of saints Francis of Assisi, James and Antony of Padua. There is also a mummified arm hanging above the door inside.
7. Church of Our Lady before Týn
Staroměstské náměstí 14 • Open 10am–1pm & 3–5pm Tue–Sat, 10:30am–noon Sun
The Gothic towers of Týn loom over Old Town Square’s houses. During the Counter-Reformation, the Jesuits melted down the gold Hussite chalice that stood between the towers and recast it as the Madonna seen today.
Church of Our Lady before Týn
8. Spanish Synagogue
The present Moorish building with its opulent interior synagogue replaced Prague’s oldest synagogue after the latter was razed in 1867. The Conservative Jewish community holds services here. It also houses Jewish Museum exhibits, offices and a reference centre.
The beautiful interior of the Spanish Synagogue
9. Pinkas Synagogue
The names of nearly 80,000 Czech victims of the Holocaust cover the walls (see Pinkas Synagogue) of this house adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery, as an emotive memorial (see The Jews in Prague). The women’s gallery was added in the 18th century.
Romanesque portal
10. Cathedral of Sts Cyril and Methodius
The assassins of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi governor of Czechoslovakia, took refuge in this Eastern Orthodox cathedral (see Karlovo náměstí) along with members of the Czech Resistance. Surrounded by German troops, they took their own lives on 18 June 1942. The Nazis executed Bishop Gorazd, who had sheltered them. Since 1945, every year on 18 June the cathedral holds a special service to remember the victims of the Heydrich Terror.
