Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town), Prague
Perched on the edge of Old Town Square stands a striking example of early Baroque architecture. The present building rose in the 1730s, replacing a much older Gothic sanctuary once linked to a Benedictine monastery. Architect Kili谩n Dientzenhofer, a luminary of Bohemian Baroque, gave the church a graceful white fa莽ade and a soaring central dome that cuts a striking silhouette against the skyline. Every curve and column was meant to dazzle worshippers during the Counter鈥慠eformation鈥攁nd the effect still works. Worship continues here, but the nave also hosts cultural gatherings, especially midday organ recitals that let an 18h鈥慶entury instrument thunder through near鈥憄erfect acoustics.
Step inside and sunlight floods a forest of stucco swirls, gilded figures, and sweeping frescoes. Overhead, Cosmas Damian Asam鈥檚 ceiling painting narrates the life of Saint Nicholas. Adding to the visual drama are crystal chandeliers from the 19th century鈥攅legant, shimmering, and not something you often see in sacred spaces.
The building鈥檚 location adds another layer of prestige. The fa莽ade faces the Jan Hus Memorial and stands in direct dialogue with other landmarks on the square, including the Old Town Hall and the T媒n Church. Many visitors linger on the church steps, framing postcard鈥憌orthy photos of the square before wandering back into Prague鈥檚 maze of medieval lanes.
Step inside and sunlight floods a forest of stucco swirls, gilded figures, and sweeping frescoes. Overhead, Cosmas Damian Asam鈥檚 ceiling painting narrates the life of Saint Nicholas. Adding to the visual drama are crystal chandeliers from the 19th century鈥攅legant, shimmering, and not something you often see in sacred spaces.
The building鈥檚 location adds another layer of prestige. The fa莽ade faces the Jan Hus Memorial and stands in direct dialogue with other landmarks on the square, including the Old Town Hall and the T媒n Church. Many visitors linger on the church steps, framing postcard鈥憌orthy photos of the square before wandering back into Prague鈥檚 maze of medieval lanes.
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Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town) on Map
Sight Name: Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town)
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mal谩 Strana, or the 鈥淟esser Town,鈥� lies along the left bank of the Vltava River and remains one of Prague鈥檚 most charming and historically layered districts. In medieval times, it was primarily settled by ethnic Germans, and even as Baroque architecture reshaped the neighborhood following the devastating fire of 1541, the area held onto its Germanic roots for generations. Its location near... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Old Town is a living tapestry of medieval roots and vibrant modern life, wrapped in narrow cobblestone streets and brimming with architectural treasures. Once a self-contained settlement, it was protected by a semi-circular moat and a fortified wall, both tracing the curve of the Vltava River. Although the moat is long gone, its path survives in the form of key streets鈥攎ost notably Na... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Castle District is a neighborhood where history feels almost tangible鈥攁n atmospheric blend of towering landmarks, quiet courtyards, and sweeping city views. At its heart sits the mighty Prague Castle, often cited as the largest castle complex in the world. Its origins stretch back to the 9th century, and over time, it has been home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, Communist... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
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