Snow in summer? That’s the surprising origin of the name of Our Lady of the Snows. This church stands as a testament to grand ambitions and unexpected turns. Today we explore its history. We delve into the stories etched within its walls.
Our Lady of the Snows began in 1347. Charles IV founded it. He intended it to rival Saint Vitus Cathedral. His coronation as King of Bohemia marked the occasion. Wars and financial woes, however, intervened. Only the chancel was completed. What you see now is that original chancel.
The church’s name comes from a medieval legend. This legend is linked to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. A Roman patrician and the pope shared a dream. The Virgin Mary appeared to each of them. She instructed them to build a church. This church was to be built where snow would fall on August 4-5. The name became Our Lady of the Snows. The dedication is celebrated on August 5 in Prague too.
In 1346, the Carmelite Order received permission. They would build a church and monastery. Emperor Charles IV laid the cornerstone on September 3. This was the day after his coronation. The church was planned to be about 110 meters long. In the early 1400s, the Hussites plundered the church. They were followers of Jan Hus. The bell tower was destroyed. The Carmelites fled. Construction stopped. Part of the roof collapsed in 1542. By the end of the sixteenth century only three walls remained.
The Franciscans acquired the complex in 1604. They began reconstruction. This happened just three years later. Despite another attack in 1611, the church was rebuilt. It was rebuilt in Renaissance style. It was consecrated in 1625. The Franciscans added a new roof. They added a three-winged ambulatory. The Baroque interior that we see today came later.
To reach Our Lady of the Snows, walk through the colonnaded archway. It is behind the statue on Jungmann Square. This leads to the courtyard. The courtyard shows the planned size of the church. A Baroque statue of St. Anthony of Padua stands in the courtyard. Statues of St. John of God and St. John of Nepomuk are also present. Jan Oldřich Mayer created these. He also worked on the Charles Bridge.
Inside Our Lady of the Snows, the proportions are striking. It is short but immensely tall. The interior has lavish Baroque decorations. The altar from 1651 is the largest in Prague. It measures 29 meters in height. It has three tiers. Statues surround two large paintings. Antonín Stevens painted the main painting. It depicts the legend of Our Lady of the Snow. Statues of St. John the Baptist, St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Francis flank it.
The Gothic font from 1459 is not Baroque. It came from another church. That church was demolished in 1784. The Renaissance-style net-vaulted ceiling has frescoes.
The Franciscan Garden lies to the south. It was the Carmelite monastery garden in medieval times. It was redesigned in the 17th century. The Franciscans acquired the complex then. The garden opened to the public in 1950. The city of Prague now owns it. It is a peaceful oasis. The garden has sculptures and fountains. There is also a gazebo and a playground. The garden offers the best view of the church’s exterior.
Our Lady of the Snows stands tall. It is a reminder of Prague’s history. It is a blend of ambition, faith, and art. Take a moment to appreciate the serenity. Reflect on the stories within these walls.