The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels Czech Republic

This chapel dates from the same period as the cathedral. It was originally a cemetery chapel, built on two floors and including an ossuary. After the departure of the Jesuits to Kutná Hora, the chapel found other uses. Goods were stored there, and later it became a workshop for building organs. It took a long renovation to restore its lustre and make it one of the most beautiful examples of the late Gothic style in the Czech Republic.

Since the place Zelný Trh, by borrowing small rue Petrská (in the Southwest of the place), one reaches the hill of Petrov, on which the cathedral of Brno is drawn up. Surrounded by the complex of the palaces of the bishopric (Biskupský Palác), the church is surmounted by impressive romantic arrows, quickly become symbols of the town of Brno. Built on the campsite of the first castle of the city and a basilica of romanesque style (and perhaps even of a temple dedicated to Venus), this church, Gothic in the beginning, were set fire to by the Swedes in 1645. It was rebuilt in baroque style, then refitted in Gothic style in XIX^e century. Inside, one from the start is crushed (it is the goal besides) by the main altar, high with 12 m and is decorated, in particular, of the statues of saint Pierre and holy Paul, carved by the Viennese Josef Leimer in 1881. The very high stained-glass windows, behind the altar, absolutely superb, are extremely coloured and rich person of thousand details. This part of the building which surrounds the altar enjoys a major and hot light, contrasting with the rest of the building cream color. Perhaps this interior hides a secrecy: specialists are checking the assumption according to which the cathedral would still preserve the bones of saint Constantine, the pere of Christianity in Central Europe. One will be able to climb at the top of a tower to admire the city. Or to go down in the crypt from XII^e century.

According to the legend, the saint, not wanting to repeat to King Václav IV the confessions of his wife Queen Sofia, was violently tortured before being thrown into the Vltava River. It is said that five stars appeared in the water as he sank. Therefore, the number five has a symbolic significance and is found here many times. The church is designed according to the plan of a five-pointed star, there are five entrance doors, five chapels, five altars...

The location of the cathedral, outside the city, was dictated by the density of galleries and underground mines that weakened the basements. Look up at the amazing gargoyles and the thousand details of the buttresses.

The construction of this monumental church lasted one hundred and seventy years! Begun by Petr Parler (the architect of the Charles Bridge in Prague), it also featured the participation of Benedikt Rejt, author of the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. He notably created the vault of the central nave of Sainte-Barbe Cathedral.

The total of five naves is now indicative of the megalomania of the initial project that was never carried out (the local nobility had planned to build the largest cathedral in Central Europe...). A singular and superb vault, therefore, undoubtedly the most spectacular in the region, or even in the country, whose pillars flourish in a multitude of stone petals. Inside the ribs you can detail the coats of arms of the city's great families and those of the trade guilds. Keep your eyes up and you will see the four statues showing the virtues added in the 18th century, as well as the organ from the same period. Several interesting frescoes dating from the late 15th century have been painted behind the altar, including the Crucifixion and the Queen of Sheba. At the back, the Art Nouveau stained glass windows offer a harmonious contrast to this medieval scenario.

A little higher up than the Château, Place Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is a haven of peace and quiet. This important place of pilgrimage was built between 1626 and 1750 by the family of the famous Dientzenhofer. The design is reminiscent of Italian churches: the architect was in fact commissioned to draw inspiration from the sanctuary of Loreto, near Ancona, and he succeeded marvelously, which explains the church's name. Its tower houses a set of 27 bells that play a melody every hour for several minutes, gently giving rhythm to life in the neighborhood.

Inside, the sanctuary, also called " Santa casa ", is, according to legend, one of the houses of Nazareth that the angels deposited all over the world. There are more than fifty Santa Casas in Bohemia, and all are the object of major pilgrimages, although none has attained the aura of the Santa Casa in Loretto, Italy.

The interior is a masterpiece of decoration. Paintings, gilding, sculptures and relics form a busy but always harmonious whole. In the Treasure Room, don't miss the "Prague Sun", a dazzling gold monstrance with flaming rays, set with 6,222 diamonds. For enthusiasts, the treasury also houses an impressive collection of cult objects assembled over the last few centuries from various regions and countries of Europe. A priceless religious (and financial) treasure!

The silhouette of St. Wenceslas Cathedral, with its three spires, one of which is the tallest in Moravia at 100.65 meters, is visible from every corner of the city and is the epitome of the city. Started in the early 12th century by the Olomouc prince Svatopluk, the impressive church was consecrated in 1131 but completed only ten years later. Unfortunately, it was largely destroyed by fire in 1265. While the general layout still follows the original medieval plan, much of what can be seen today, including the imposing pillars supporting the three naves, is due to the Gothic reconstruction of the 13th and 14th centuries. Note the impressive size of the choir and the richness of its Baroque decoration. It is built on an equally impressive crypt, accessible by the side stairs. But it is not for its architecture or decoration that the cathedral became famous in Czech history: on August 4, 1306, while the building was at the center of a political intrigue against the Přemyslids, King Wenceslas III was assassinated there. This murder marked the abrupt end of the dynasty and would send the country into chaos before the Luxembourg dynasty took over a few years later. Today, the beautiful facade recently restored and the sober but colorful and bright interior are the main attractions of the building.

A beautiful Baroque façade hides a Romanesque basilica (Bazilika svatého Jiříqui) considered to be the best preserved in Bohemia. It houses under its massive vaults the crypt of the kings of the Přemyslides dynasty and the remains of Saint Ludmila of Bohemia. The convent next to the basilica was founded in 973 and has since undergone many alterations. It was closed in 1782 under the reign of Joseph II to be transformed into barracks. The last reconstructions date from 1962 to 1974, when the convent was restored and adapted to accommodate rare paintings. Today, the building is the exhibition space of the Czech Art collection from Rudolf II to the end of the Baroque period. The works are exhibited in the rooms, some of which retain Romanesque and Gothic elements, others were marked by the Renaissance, and there is no shortage of Baroque either. Among the paintings from the time of Rudolf II, we can name the paintings of Hans von Aachen, Bartoloměj Spranger or Adrian de Vries. As far as the Baroque period is concerned, there are remarkable works by Karel Škréta, Ferdinand Maximilian Brokof or Petr Jan Brandl. The exposure is quite large: allow at least one hour. If you look at the interior architecture of the building itself, you will notice that it shines with its great austerity, contrasting with the other monuments in Prague which generally respond to the credo of the Rococo or Baroque, much more provided with ostentatious decorations.

This square owes its name to the Bethlehem chapel, a true witness to the austerity of the reforms desired by Jan Hus. It surprises you with the colourful facades of one of the city's quietest and most pleasant squares. It was built in 1394 on the site of a malt house, in the heart of a district mainly inhabited by Czechs (and not Germans), who wanted to have a place of worship. It is of great importance for the history and culture of the country, because it was here in 1402 that Jan Hus, burned on July 6, 1415 in Constance for his ideas of reformation, became a preacher. The chapel, very simple at first, without even an altar and its spacious nave, could accommodate up to 3,000 people. It was redesigned in the first half of the 16th century, and it was at that time that the central nave was divided into six small naves. After the Battle of the White Mountain, it was bought by Jesuits and became a residential building in the 19th century. It was not until the 1950s of the 20th century that the chapel was rebuilt by the Czech architect Jaroslav Fragner, based on the original drawings preserved. The wall inscriptions that can be seen today were discovered during this reconstruction and bear witness to the passage of Jan Hus and his colleagues. This huge chapel has now become the site of a permanent exhibition that recalls its history. Every year, on July 5, Hus' death is commemorated there.

Located in the center of Republic Square, its construction began in 1295 and was completed in the early 16th century, but it continued to be transformed until the 20th century. It dominates the city with its 102 meter spire, the highest in the country! You can climb to the top of the tower (věž) and get a beautiful view of the city at the cost of 301 steps. But before that, take advantage of the large size of the square to walk around the cathedral and admire its elegant silhouette by taking enough distance. Inside the cathedral, the marble statue of the Pilsen Madonna (Plzeňské madony) adorns the high altar. It belongs to the style of the "beautiful virgin saints" of Czech Gothic art. According to the legend, it was made by a blind man in 1390, according to the wishes of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary guided his hands during the work and restored his sight. Notice the back of the cathedral, where there is a sculpture with a grid with angels' heads. One of the angels is more polished than the others, and for good reason, it is a symbol of luck. It is said that whoever touches it will have his wish fulfilled. Next to it is the Plague Column (Morový sloup), built in 1681 as a "thank you" to a moderate spread of the plague epidemic that occurred the year before in Pilsen. In winter, the cathedral and the entire square take on a fairy-tale atmosphere when a giant illuminated nativity scene and ice rink take over the entire space.

This beautiful Romanesque-Gothic stone church, was built during the second half of the 13th century, during the extension of the Benedictine abbey of Třebíč. The oldest buildings are in the late Romanesque and then Gothic style, making it a major medieval architectural monument. The entrance portal, representing the entrance to heaven, is magnificent, as is the huge crypt with Romanesque columns. It is hard to imagine that until a few years ago this place was relatively abandoned and had very little mystical function: in the course of its long history it was used as a storeroom, a prison and even a brewery. Inside, the three naves are supported by imposing pillars. The boldly shaped vaults in some places resemble vast parachutes on top of the beautiful stone walls. The murals are also remarkable and the oldest of their kind in Central Europe. Behind the altar, the gothic rosette inspired by the one in the cathedral of Reims is worth a visit. The ensemble remains very harmonious despite some jarring details related to later reconstructions, mostly in Renaissance style. Just like the other monuments in Třebíč, the basilica did suffer from the siege by Hungarian troops in the late 15th century and underwent some work afterwards. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 2003.

The church sits atop a wooded hill. This elegant ensemble is a jewel of Baroque architecture. Designed by Carlo Lurago, it was built in the ^17th century by the Jesuits. Its white and pink walls, bronze domes and red-tiled roofs dominate the city and are its true symbol. The name "Montagne Sainte" comes from a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary housed here. Montagne Sainte remains an important place of worship (at Easter and on August 15).

You won't miss this neo-gothic style church, all in brick, which dominates the Place de la Paix with its twin 60 m high bell towers. It was built at the end of the 19th century, between 1888 and 1892 by the architect Josef Mocker, as the number of inhabitants in Vinohrady was increasing. Emperor Franz Joseph visited the building shortly after its inauguration. The interior is well worth a visit, if only to admire the beautiful stained glass windows.

This church (Kostel Panny Marie pod řetězem) was the oldest in Malá Strana. A Romanesque basilica, of which there are still some elements, already existed in the 12th century. The square towers, so clearly recognizable from above, were completed in the 14th century. The complex was "baroqueized" in the 17th century. On the main altar is one of the best paintings by the Czech painter Karel Škréta, which dates back to the 17th century. A Latin Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 11am.

Originally (1736), Chrám sv. Cyrila a Metoděje was a Catholic church dedicated to St. Charles. In 1930, it became the cathedral of the Czech Orthodox Church. It was in its crypt that the men of Operation Anthropoid , who had killed Heydrich (Nazi governor of Bohemia and head of the Gestapo) in 1942, were besieged by the SS. The paratroopers defended themselves and repelled several assaults, but the Nazis called in the fire department to flood the crypt. Threatened by the waters, the escapees chose to kill themselves after trying in vain to dig a passage to the city's sewers. Their sacrifice and the severe repression that followed in and around Prague, particularly with the destruction of the village of Lidice, weighed enormously not in the war itself but in the recognition of Czechoslovakia as a state and ally in the battle against fascism, a status it had lost since its dismantling by Hitler in 1938. In the church, you'll be able to see a beautiful exhibition dedicated to the mission of the paratroopers who assassinated the "Butcher of Prague". The scenography has been redesigned for the eightieth anniversary of the mission in 2022. Read French writer Laurent Binet's excellent HHhH , which was subsequently produced as a film, while another feature film, directed by Szan Ellis, was also made in 2016 to detail Operation Anthropoid.

This Baroque church, thanks to its beautiful white and pink facade, embellishes Husova Street. It was built between 1734 and 1752 by the architect Kaňka, to celebrate the canonization of John Nepomuk. The interior decoration is very rich, and all the elements, wall paintings, sculptures, celebrate the various Czech patron saints. You have to look up to see the most impressive part of the decorations: the fresco on the ceiling represents the legend of St. John Nepomuk.