Church of Our Lady Victorious

The Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, located in the Malá Strana district of Prague, is famous not only for its Baroque architecture, but above all for housing the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. The history of the church and the statue reflects centuries of devotion, religious conflicts, and political transformations that have shaped the history of Bohemia. The church was originally built in 1611 for German Lutherans in late Renaissance style. However, with the victory of Catholic forces in the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, control of the church passed to Catholics, marking the beginning of the Counter-Reformation in Bohemia. In 1624, Emperor Ferdinand II donated the church to the Discalced Carmelites, who consecrated it to “Our Lady of Victory and Saint Anthony of Padua.” It was during this time that the transformation of the church into Baroque style began. The church’s facade was completed in 1664 thanks to a donation from Baltasar Marradas, and the structure was further enriched with the addition of a tower in 1669. Inside, the church is adorned with numerous works of art, including paintings by Petr Brandl and an altar dedicated to the Madonna with a painting from 1626. The statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, a representation of the Christ child dating back to the 16th century and originating from Spain, is undoubtedly the most famous element of the church. The statue was donated to the Discalced Carmelites in 1628 by Polyxena of Lobkowicz, a Czech noblewoman, and soon became the object of popular devotion. During the Swedish invasion of 1631, the statue was damaged and thrown among the rubbish, but it was found in 1637 by Father Cyrillus. Since then, the cult of the Infant Jesus of Prague spread rapidly, with numerous testimonies of miracles and graces attributed to its intercession. In 1655, the statue was solemnly crowned by the Archbishop of Prague Ernst Adalbert von Harrach, an event that further consolidated its devotional importance. The tradition of dressing the statue in liturgical garments donated by benefactors continues to this day, with clothes changing according to the liturgical season. The church and the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague have become a center of international pilgrimage. Even during the difficult periods of Nazism and communist rule, pilgrims, especially from Spanish-speaking countries, continued to visit the sanctuary. Official veneration was resumed with renewed vigor in 1993, when the Discalced Carmelites returned to the church at the invitation of Archbishop of Prague Miloslav Vlk. Every year, the church hosts a solemn procession with a copy of the statue, an event that attracts both devotees and tourists. The statue itself is adorned with precious clothes donated by various benefactors over the centuries, including embroidered gold garments and precious fabrics, which are changed according to the liturgical colors. Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2009, which re-crowned the statue and donated a new crown, further emphasized the devotional and historical importance of the church. The statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague continues to be a symbol of faith and hope for many, keeping alive a centuries-old tradition that crosses borders and cultures.