Prague, at the Church of Our Lady

 

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

 

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Our_Lady_before_T%C3%BDn/