St. Nicholas Church

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The crystal chandelier in the central nave was a personal gift from Tsar Nicholas II to the Orthodox Church in 1880.

2. 2

   During the 19th century, the church was used as a grain store and a warehouse, which saved it from being demolished during urban planning renovations.

3. 3

   The organ, installed in the 18th century, features over 2,500 pipes and was played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart during his visits to Prague.

4. 4

   The building stands on the site where a Romanesque rotunda dedicated to St. Nicholas existed as early as 1273.

5. 5

   The church is the main place of worship for the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, a denomination formed after World War I.

Overview

St. Nicholas Church, located on the Old Town Square in Prague, is a prime example of High Baroque architecture designed by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. The interior features a massive crystal chandelier donated by Tsar Nicholas II, characterized by its resemblance to an Imperial Russian crown. Its facade is marked by a distinctive white-stucco exterior and a large green dome that dominates the skyline of the Staré Město district. The church was originally built between 1732 and 1737 on the site of a 12th-century Gothic parish church. It served as a garrison church after the reforms of Emperor Joseph II, leading to the removal of much of its original art. Later, it became the main church for the Czechoslovak Hussite Church in the 20th century. The ceiling frescoes depict the lives of St. Nicholas and St. Benedict, painted by Bavarian artist Cosmas Damian Asam. The site remains a functional religious space while also hosting regular classical music concerts due to its superior acoustics.

Insider tips

• Check the schedule for classical organ concerts, which are frequently held here and take advantage of the building's acoustics.

• Look up at the dome frescoes to view the intricate detail of the saints, which are often missed by visitors looking only at the ground-level altar.

• Bring a light jacket as the interior remains significantly cooler than the exterior temperature, even during summer months.