Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture can be found throughout the city.
Prague is often referred to as “The City of One Hundred Spires” referring to the multitude of towers, steeples, and pinnacles throughout the city.
one can imagine how medieval Germany looked before the devastation of WWII just by looking at the architecture of Prague.
So much of the architecture of Prague as well as the rest of the Czech Republic was commissioned by the Hapsburg Kings and Queens.
Modern arc
Gothic Architecture in Prague
The Kingdom of Bohemia reached its cultural zenith during the Gothic Age. The reign of Charles IV from 1346–1378 marked the apex of the city’s importance. And it’s no surprise that Prague is filled with many incredible Gothic Buildings from this time period. Like in the rest of Europe, the Christian Community within the city helped finance massive churches, which was common during theMiddle Ages. Prague stands out, however, for its abundance of non-religious Gothic Architecture. The Charles Bridge, the Old Town Hall, and Prague’s medieval fortifications are some of the city’s greatest secular Gothic Buildings. Even though all of these buildings are nestled amongst much more modern ones, you can still get a sense of the power of Prague at this time period from virtually anywhere in the city.
Examples of gothic architecture:
- Charles bridge
- St Vitus Cathedral and St Georg’s Basilica (both within castle walls)
- Church of Our Lady Before Týn (old town square):
- Old Town Square
- Fortifications of Prague (defensive walls and towers)
- Old Town Hall
- Old New Synagogue (built in 1270)
- Church of Our Lady in the Snows
Renaissance & Baroque Architecture in Prague
Prague remained the leading city in Bohemia throughout the 16th-18th centuries, at which point in time it expanded outward from the historic center.
Although the Kingdom of Bohemia would be ruled by the Austrian Hapsburgs from 1526–1918, Prague was still able to maintain its influence.
Examples:
- St Nicholas Church (mala strana) (1704): the most important work of Baroque architecture
- Wallenstein Palace & Gardens (1623-1630)
- St Nicholaus Church (old town) (1732)
- Statues of Charles Bridge: Although the Charles Bridge is one of the most incredible Gothic Sites in the city, several of the bridge’s decorative elements date to the Baroque Age.
- Strahov Monastery
- Church of St James (rebuilt in 1689): very opulent church. a lot of details
- The Clementinum and National Library
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