Great Prague Landmarks; Chram Sv Mikulase, the Cathedral of St Nicholas
August 26th 2008 01:05
Known affectionately as the pearl of Prague, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Malo Strana, is one of the city’s most impressive Baroque buildings.
Its story dates back to 1223, when it began life as the modest parish Church of St Nicholas in the village below Prague Castle.
After the Battle of White Mountain, which put an end to the Hussite Wars in 1620, the victorious Catholics set about reasserting the church’s presence and authority. Hundreds of new churches were established and many old ones re-built in the grand baroque style of the times.
In 1702 Kristof Dienzenhofer designed a magnificent new Cathedral to replace the humble parish church of St Nicholas. Construction continued after his death under his son Kilian Ignac Dietzenhofer who also designed the vault and the landmark green dome. Two new wings were added. The left houses the Chapel of St Barbara and the right, the chapel of St Anne. In 1752 an 80 metre bell tower, by Anselmo Lurago completed the Cathedral.
During his years living and composing in Prague, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart frequented St Nicholas and played on its organ.
During the Communist era St Nicholas ceased to be used as a house of worship.
Today, the dome and the bell tower are Malo Strana landmarks, symbols of the city of Prague and some of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Masses are held once again in the Cathedral and the faithful come once more to pray in the chapels of St Barbara and St Anne. But St Nicholas has become most famous as a music venue and concerts are held here all year round and every day during the high tourist season
The front of the Cathedral of St Nicholas
Its story dates back to 1223, when it began life as the modest parish Church of St Nicholas in the village below Prague Castle.
After the Battle of White Mountain, which put an end to the Hussite Wars in 1620, the victorious Catholics set about reasserting the church’s presence and authority. Hundreds of new churches were established and many old ones re-built in the grand baroque style of the times.
In 1702 Kristof Dienzenhofer designed a magnificent new Cathedral to replace the humble parish church of St Nicholas. Construction continued after his death under his son Kilian Ignac Dietzenhofer who also designed the vault and the landmark green dome. Two new wings were added. The left houses the Chapel of St Barbara and the right, the chapel of St Anne. In 1752 an 80 metre bell tower, by Anselmo Lurago completed the Cathedral.
During his years living and composing in Prague, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart frequented St Nicholas and played on its organ.
During the Communist era St Nicholas ceased to be used as a house of worship.
Today, the dome and the bell tower are Malo Strana landmarks, symbols of the city of Prague and some of the world’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Masses are held once again in the Cathedral and the faithful come once more to pray in the chapels of St Barbara and St Anne. But St Nicholas has become most famous as a music venue and concerts are held here all year round and every day during the high tourist season
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