The Churches of Prague
The city of Prague in Czechia (former Czechoslavakia), also known by its Czech name, Praha, has long since been known for its popularity as one of eastern Europe’s most well-toured cities. For over a thousand years, Prague’s importance as a political, economic and religious center of Czech, German and Jewish cultures and nations has given it an impressive legacy of architecture and monuments, such as the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Prague Astronomical Clock. The Prague Castle complex and various districts, known as the Old Town, New Town, Lesser Town and other districts, each have a rich history, and its own important places of worship.
Within the Prague Castle, the Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adelbert serves as the mother-church of the Archbishopric of Prague. Commissioned by Duke Wenceslaus after acquiring a significant relic of Saint Vitus, the duke himself (memorialized through the Christmas tune, “Good King Wenceslaus”) was also buried in the church and later became a saint. Some of the relics of Saint Adelbert (known as Wojtek in Polish) have also been housed in the church. Known as one of the great Gothic churches of Europe in both size and beauty, its nearly 340-foot spire, stunning rosette windows, exterior mosaic of the Last Judgement over the main entrance known as The Golden Gate, and exquisite chapel dedicated to Saint Wenceslaus are but of a few of its many admirable features.
In the Old Town, the Church of Our Lady before Týn is one of the most famous structures. A 14th-century Gothic church with Baroque designs, its iconic twin spires exceed 260 feet in height, while the interior is noted for its high-vaulted ceiling, Baroque interior decorations, 17th-century pipe organ and one of the oldest functioning baptismal fonts in the region.
In the New Town, St. Peter’s Church is an example of Romanesque European churches from the late Middle Ages. Once a church for the crusading Teutonic Order, it has passed between Catholic and Protestant control throughout the centuries and is presently administered by another Catholic order of knighthood known as the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star.
Other faith traditions in Prague have also contributed to its living history. The famed Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is one of two administrative seats of the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church. A repurposed Roman Catholic church, it is also a national shrine in the sense that it was the scene of a heroic last-stand of Czech resistance soldiers during the Second World War following a successful commando operation against the brutal Nazi governor of Prague, Bohemia and neighboring Moravia. As a major center of Reformation Protestantism, Prague also has a substantial number of stately Protestant churches, most notably the Evangelical Church of the Savior in the Old Town. The ancient Jewish community of Prague is known for its famed 13th-century “Old New Synagogue” (named as such for being the oldest functioning synagogue, but still having replaced the first city synagogue). Now the oldest continuously functioning synagogue, it draws tourists interested in both east European Jewish history as well as the rumor that its attic includes the famed Golem of Prague; a mystical creature said to have been created by a rabbi who sought to protect his community from harm. The Old Town Jewish cemetery is also a noted attraction, as is the New Town Jewish cemetery, in large part due to it being the burial site of the novelist Franz Kafka.
Beautiful, ancient and stately, Prague is another endearing city for those who seek a pilgrimage of faith through the art and architecture of its places of worship.
Be Not Afraid!
Good Shepherd Travel offers trips to Prague, as well as Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Ireland, and many other destinations across Europe. And of course, we love Jerusalem and the Holy Land best! For more information on how to begin preparing for a pilgrimage in late 2021 and 2022, contact Tony AbuAita at Tony@goodshepherdtravel.com.