Praha - Prague_Kostel sv. Mikuláše_Praha 1 - Malá Strana_Czechia

Praha - Prague_Kostel sv. Mikuláše_Praha 1 - Malá Strana_Czechia

 

 

St. Nicholas Church (Malá Strana)

 

 

St Nicholas Church

The Church of Saint Nicholas

Kostel svatého Mikuláše

Prague 07-2016 view from Lesser Town Tower of Charles Bridge img1.jpg

50°05′17″N 14°24′12″ECoordinates: 50°05′17″N 14°24′12″E

LocationPrague

CountryCzech Republic

DenominationRoman Catholic

WebsiteWebsite of the Church

History

StatusActive

Founded1704

Architecture

Functional statusParish Church

Architect(s)Christoph Dientzenhofer

Architectural typeBasilica

StyleBaroque

Completed1755

Specifications

Height49 meters

Dome height (outer)79 meters

Dome diameter (outer)20 meters

Spire height79 meters

Administration

ParishLesser Town of Prague

ArchdiocesePrague

The Church of Saint Nicholas (Czech: Kostel svatého Mikuláše) is a Baroque church in the Lesser Town of Prague. It was built between 1704-1755 on the site where formerly a Gothic church from the 13th century stood, which was also dedicated to Saint Nicholas.

 

Decoration

It has been described as "the most impressive example of Prague Baroque"[1] and "without doubt the greatest Baroque church in Prague and the Dientzenhofers' supreme achievement".[2]

 

 

Interior of the dome

On the shield is a sign of the alleged patron of the building Frantisek Karel Count of Kolowrat-Liebsteinsky. The mark of the actual patron Václav Count of Kolowrat-Liebsteinsky on the facade of the temple is not found. He was so humble that he did not want his name to be associated with the building, and after the completion of the building he was used on the front of the coat of arms of his uncle.

 

The church excels not only in the architecture, but also in the decoration, mainly with the frescos by Jan Lukas Kracker and a fresco inside the 70 m high dome by František Xaver Palko. The interior is further decorated with sculptures by František Ignác Platzer. The Baroque organ has over 4,000 pipes up to six metres in length and was played by Mozart in 1787. Mozart's spectacular masterpiece, Mass in C, was first performed in the Church of Saint Nicholas shortly after his visit.[3][4]

 

The 79 m tall belfry is directly connected with the church’s massive dome. The belfry with great panoramic view, was unlike the church completed in Rococo forms in 1751-1756 by Anselmo Lurago.

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