The Malá Strana Square already used to be the heart of the district in the Middle Ages, it included among others two churches and a busy market. The current church was built between 1673 and 1752 next to a newly founded Jesuit school, during the peak of the counter-reformation and the re-catholisation of the Czech lands.
Started by P. Bos, continued by G.D. Orsi, the church is chiefly the work of the Dientzenhofer architects, who completely changed the initial projects and built this masterpiece, which architectural significance is exceptional. Krištof Dientzenhofer took command of the construction work in 1702. His son then completed the nave and built the monumental dome and the magnificent façade. He played with architectural elements, with convex and concave forms, thus creating exceptional undulating and dynamic effects. The “radical Baroque” of Bohemia is mainly characterized by expressiveness, plasticity, monumentality, dramatic effect and movement, and the St Nicholas Church is one of the best examples of this style. Following K.I. Dienzenhofer’s project, Anselmo Lurago completed the bell tower in the middle of the century, creating a dynamic counter-effect with the dome. Don’t hesitate to climb up the tower and enjoy a beautiful view on the Mala Strana District, you will be able to admire the dome and its ornaments very closely.
Inside, the spectacular richness of the décor is mind-blowing. The interior composition draws the eye towards the grand altar and the lateral altars, designed by K.I. Dientzenhofer. On the vault, the vast trompe-l’oeil fresco represents the apotheosis of St Nicholas: its 1500m2 (16145 sq. ft.) make it the largest fresco of this type in Europe (author: J. L Kracker). The best artists of the time contributed to the unique decoration of the church, among whom I. F. Platzer for the huge statues of the transept and Karel Škréta, author of the cycle of paintings representing the Passion, now exhibited in the gallery.
The monumental organ in the St Nicholas church welcomed a renowned guest: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who played here on the occasion of one of his stays in Prague. This is also the place where several days after his death, in December 1791, a Mass for the Dead was celebrated in his honor, in front of a large crowd that had come to pay a final tribute to the artist.
Saint Nicolas in Malá Strana - Sv. Mikuláš na Malé Straně
Malostranské náměstí 25
Prague 1 - Malá Strana
www.psalterium.cz
How to get there:
Tramway: lines 12 – 20 – 22, stop “Malostranské náměstí”.
Subway Green line A, station “Malostranská”.
Opening hours:
March to October: every day from 9am to 5pm
November to February: every day from 9am to 4pm
On December 24th and 31st: from 9am to 2pm.
