Beneath these three baroque cupola-shaped roofs with lanterns stands Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd. This church has a unique place in Prague’s architectural history. We are standing in the Karlov area of Prague. It is named after Charles IV. Let me tell you about this magnificent church.
Emperor Charles IV founded this church in 1350. It was part of a grand plan for Prague’s New Town. Charles wanted to honor Charlemagne. He saw Charlemagne as an exemplar. The church is dedicated to both the Virgin Mary and St. Charles the Great. Charles even gave a relic to the church. It was said to be three teeth of Charles the Great.
Construction began in 1351. Matthias of Arras and his workshop were involved. The church was consecrated in 1377. Archbishop Jan O\u010dko of Vla\u0161im led the ceremony. Charles IV and his son Wenceslaus IV attended. However the building was not yet finished.
The design of Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd is quite special. The octagonal floor plan is unusual. It mirrors the Aachen Cathedral. That cathedral held Charlemagne’s tomb. It was also where Holy Roman emperors were crowned. Charles IV wanted a similar design.
During the Hussite Wars the church was damaged. It was later abandoned. Reconstruction happened in 1498. Hans Spiess designed the vaulting. Remarkable stained glasses were added between 1502 and 1505. In 1575 the church was revaulted. Bonif\u00e1c Wolmut designed a dome with pseudo-Gothic ribs.
Lightning and fire damaged the convent in 1603. The church was renovated. A new roof was added. In 1676 the Mariazell chapel was erected. Giovanni Domenico Orsi was the architect. He also created the Baroque interior decorations.
In the early 18th century Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd became a pilgrimage site. The Holy Steps were built between 1708 and 1711. Jan Santini Aichel is believed to be the architect. Beneath the steps the Bethlehem Cave of the Nativity Chapel was constructed. It featured trompe-l’\u0153il stucco work.
The interior changed again from 1735 to 1740. A new gallery was installed. Bed\u0159ich Semer\u00e1d installed a new organ. Franti\u0161ek Maxmili\u00e1n Ka\u0148ka built the choir and side galleries. The Mariazell chapel was destroyed during the changes.
A fire damaged the convent in 1755. The roofs were renovated in 1756. In 1785 the convent became a hospital. This change was ordered by Josef II. Smaller Gothic revival work happened from 1871 to 1873. The Police Museum now occupies the monastery buildings.
Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd is known for its octagonal central nave. Late Gothic brick vaulting supports the structure. Stone ribs create a star figure. The polygonal presbytery is enclosed by six sides of a decagon. A bell tower stands next to the nave. Gothic piers reinforce the church.
The hall and Holy Steps are Baroque. The windows resemble Late Gothic curtain-shaped windows. Jan Santini Aichel’s style is evident. Expressive cornices and concave arches mark his work. Baroque stucco and furniture decorate the interior. Jan Ji\u0159\u00ed Heinsch created several altar paintings. The main altar dates to 1872.
The five churches founded by Charles IV in the New Town form a cross. Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd is on the east-west axis. It crosses with the Church of St. Apollinaire.
Legend says the vault builder made a deal with the devil. The builder hanged himself fearing the vault would collapse. The vault survived and the devil claimed his soul. That is one dark story.
Today Panna Maria a svat\u00fd Karel Velik\u00fd stands as a testament to Charles IV’s vision. It is a blend of Gothic and Baroque styles. The church at Karlov contributes significantly to Prague’s skyline.