Church of San Nicola

The Church of St. Nicholas in Malá Strana, Prague, represents one of the greatest masterpieces of European Baroque, reflecting the splendor and complexity of 17th and 18th century architecture. Built by the Jesuits between 1704 and 1755 on the site of a previous Gothic church from the 13th century, the Church of St. Nicholas is famous for its undulating facade, imposing domes, and intricate interior decoration that make it a jewel of Baroque art. The church’s design is the work of three generations of the Dientzenhofer family, one of the most renowned dynasties of Baroque architects of the time. Construction began with Christoph Dientzenhofer and was completed by his son Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. The main facade, with its concave and convex shapes, three large spires, and the statue of St. Nicholas, is an excellent example of Roman Baroque influence in Prague. The semicircular stairs lead to three large entrances, accentuating the dramatic effect of the building. The interior of the church is equally magnificent, with over 3000 square meters of frescoes adorning the walls and ceiling. Among these, the Apotheosis of St. Nicholas stands out, created by the Viennese painter Johann Lucas Kracker in 1761, depicting the saint in glory among the church fathers and worshippers. Another masterpiece is František Xaver Palko’s painting in the dome, depicting an open sky where Christ and the Heavenly Father are glorified by a choir of saints. The columns, pillars, and artificial marble frames, created by the master stucco artist Johann Hennevogel von Ebenberg, add another level of richness and visual complexity to the interior. A fascinating aspect of the Church of St. Nicholas is its Baroque organ, which has over 4000 pipes and was also played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1787. The extraordinary acoustics of the church make it a perfect venue for classical music concerts today, attracting numerous visitors every year. The history of the church is closely linked to the political and religious changes in the region. During the Counter-Reformation period, the church was part of the movement to restore Catholicism in Protestant Bohemia. After the abolition of the Jesuit Order in 1773, the church became the main parish of Malá Strana. During the communist era, the church’s bell tower was used as an observation point by the state security to monitor nearby foreign embassies.