When we walked in the Old Town Square of Prague, we found a rather
chaotic square full with tourists, numerous street vendors and performers, and souvenir
stalls. The buildings were a mix of architectural styles from different
periods, including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. While the appearance of
the square is chaotic, many people found the square to be both bustling and
charming.
Then, as if raising from the diverse buildings, stood this church with
its twin Gothic spires. Its full name, "Church of Our Lady before
Týn," reflects both its dedication
to the Virgin Mary and its location in front of the Týn courtyard. We struggled
to find the entrance to the church, after we walked through the narrow
passageway between the old buildings, we emerged into a small courtyard where
the main entrance to the church is located.
The church was built primarily in the Gothic style during the 14th and
15th centuries. The interior features tall, vaulted ceilings, pointed arches,
and slender columns, creating a sense of grandeur and verticality typical of
Gothic design. It was richly decorated featuring Baroque arts, reflecting its
long history and the various periods of renovation and decoration. Many of the
paintings and sculptures are from the 17th and 18th centuries, when the church
was extensively renovated in the Baroque style.
The dimly lit interior, the scent of incense, and the quiet ambiance
create a space for meditation and prayer. Whether we attend a Mass or simply
sit in silence, the church offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling Old Town
Square outside.
THE END
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