U Panny Marie na zlaté skále

Hidden beneath the grandeur of Prague Castle, U Panny Marie na zlaté skále whispers tales of knights, kings, and a bridge’s end. U Panny Marie na zlaté skále isn’t just a residential building. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Knights of St. John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller and later, the Knights of Malta. Established between 1169 and 1182 by King Vladislav II, U Panny Marie na zlaté skále initially served as a convent and church alongside the Charles Bridge. The original Romanesque church, a triple-aisled basilica, once graced this site. It bore witness to the display of Charles IV’s body in 1378, a testament to its significance. This original structure later gave way to a Gothic rebuild in the 14th century, intended to be one of the grandest on the Lesser Town side. The church you see today, a fragment of the grand medieval design, retains remnants of its Romanesque and Gothic past within its walls. The name, “U Panny Marie na zlaté skále,” or “Our Lady at the Golden Rock,” adds to the intrigue. It is believed to refer to the medieval practice of closing off the surrounding streets with chains. Another theory links it to a chain stretched across the Vltava River. This chain prevented ships from entering Prague without paying a toll. Inside, the Baroque renovations from 1640 to 1660, overseen by Carlo Lurago, are evident. Admire the rich stucco work, sculptures by J. J. Bendl, and paintings by Karel Škréta. Look for the decorative grilles from the 17th and 18th centuries. The main altar holds Škréta’s masterpiece, “The Siege of Malta”. It depicts the Virgin Mary blessing the Knights. It was before this very image that new members were knighted. U Panny Marie na zlaté skále. A place where history whispers from the stones and the legacy of knights endures.