The city of Prague has an amazing number of Catholic churches and cathedrals- Each seemingly very related to the battle of white mountain. The battle of white mountain is an indisputable factor in the history of Pragues majority disposition and religious beliefs.
During my student tour  I focused on two churches. The first one I presented was the  Church of St. Mary the Victorious. The church was originally built by Lutherans from 1611 through 1613 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. However, following the battle of white mountain the church was handed over to the Catholic carmelites . The church was then dedicated to Our Lady of Victory and St. Anthony of Padua. In 1784 the church was closed down by a decree of the emporer. The carmelites were ordered to leave and the church became the church of Our Lady under the Chain.  During this communist period however faithful followers of the Catholic church still continued to make pilgramges, for the church is known to hold what is known as “The infant child of Prague.” The legend behind this 400 year old infant child statue  is that it was brought to the czech republic by a spanish knoble woman who married a very prominent Czech man. It is said that the infant child protected the church from plague and was deemed as miraculous. The woman gave it to the carmelite church as  a gift. The Church has been home to the statue ever since and is said to be grace giving to anyone willing to humble themselves beore the statue and bring their prazer petitions. The Carmelites were allowed to enter the church again  July 2, 1993 after a 200 year absence.
The St. Nicholas church I toured in old town is one of three. The church is the masterpiece of Christoph Dientyenhofer and his son Kilian. This father and son team constructed many buildings during the baroque period. Neither lived to see its completion. The church is decorated with numerous frescoes, statues and paintings by leading artists. Its most distinguishing feature is the dome fresco from Franz Paiko showing the celebration of the Holy Trinity,filing the 70 m high dome. The dome was completed in 1751 shortly afterKilian died. Over the baroque organ is a fresco of Saint Cecilia, the partron saint of music.  The organ was played by Mozart in 1787.  The church boasts Europes largest fresco and it sometimes hosts concerts performed by top artists. However, it causes some controversy for entertainment to be hosted in what is regarded by some as a very intimate and holy place of worship.
Naomi

The city of Prague has an amazing number of Catholic churches and cathedrals- Each seemingly very related to the battle of white mountain. The battle of white mountain is an indisputable factor in the history of Pragues majority disposition and religious beliefs.

During my student tour  I focused on two churches. The first one I presented was the  Church of St. Mary the Victorious. The church was originally built by Lutherans from 1611 through 1613 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. However, following the battle of white mountain the church was handed over to the Catholic carmelites . The church was then dedicated to Our Lady of Victory and St. Anthony of Padua. In 1784 the church was closed down by a decree of the emporer. The carmelites were ordered to leave and the church became the church of Our Lady under the Chain.  During this communist period however faithful followers of the Catholic church still continued to make pilgramges, for the church is known to hold what is known as “The infant child of Prague.” The legend behind this 400 year old infant child statue  is that it was brought to the czech republic by a spanish knoble woman who married a very prominent Czech man. It is said that the infant child protected the church from plague and was deemed as miraculous. The woman gave it to the carmelite church as  a gift. The Church has been home to the statue ever since and is said to be grace giving to anyone willing to humble themselves beore the statue and bring their prazer petitions. The Carmelites were allowed to enter the church again  July 2, 1993 after a 200 year absence.

The St. Nicholas church I toured in old town is one of three. The church is the masterpiece of Christoph Dientyenhofer and his son Kilian. This father and son team constructed many buildings during the baroque period. Neither lived to see its completion. The church is decorated with numerous frescoes, statues and paintings by leading artists. Its most distinguishing feature is the dome fresco from Franz Paiko showing the celebration of the Holy Trinity,filing the 70 m high dome. The dome was completed in 1751 shortly afterKilian died. Over the baroque organ is a fresco of Saint Cecilia, the partron saint of music.  The organ was played by Mozart in 1787.  The church boasts Europes largest fresco and it sometimes hosts concerts performed by top artists. However, it causes some controversy for entertainment to be hosted in what is regarded by some as a very intimate and holy place of worship.

Naomi