Saint Apollinaire

Is this where the lines of fate converge? Right here, before the solemn facade of Saint Apollinaire, legends and history entwine. Saint Apollinaire Church stands as a testament to Prague’s rich past. This Gothic masterpiece, nestled in the heart of New Town, has witnessed centuries of change and upheaval. Its story begins in the 14th century. Emperor Charles IV, a man driven by a vision of a glorious Prague, ordered the church’s construction in 1362. He envisioned a new district for his expanding capital, a “New Town” that would rival the splendor of the old. Saint Apollinaire, with its soaring arches and intricate details, was to be a beacon of faith and learning in this new quarter. The church wasn’t completed in a single burst of architectural energy. It was a two-part endeavor. The nave, the heart of the church, came first, completed around 1376. The tower, that ever-watchful guardian, followed a few years later. The church’s history, much like Prague’s own story, has been one of resilience. Saint Apollinaire withstood the tumultuous Hussite Wars, a period when many religious institutions faced destruction. It even served as a temporary base for one of the Hussite military groups, the Orebits, in 1420. Perhaps its survival can be attributed to Peter of Kromeriz, a canon of the church who embraced the Hussite movement, shielding it from the wrath of the reformers. The church’s story is etched into its very stones. Step inside, and you’ll discover remnants of its past interwoven with its present. Look for the original Gothic frescos on the nave’s walls, whispering tales of faith and artistry from the 14th century. Saint Apollinaire stands today not just as a place of worship but as a silent sentinel, its walls echoing with the footsteps of emperors, reformers, and ordinary citizens who shaped the destiny of this captivating city.