svatý Jakub

Shrouded in the heart of Prague’s Old Town, the Basilica of St. James stands as a silent witness to centuries of history. This magnificent baroque structure, known locally as Bazilika svatého Jakuba Většího, whispers tales of devotion, destruction, and miraculous interventions. St. James wasn’t always draped in baroque grandeur. The original 13th-century Gothic structure, built for the Franciscans, met a fiery end in 1689, allegedly at the hands of arsonists working for Louis XIV of France. The church, along with over 700 houses, was consumed by the flames. From the ashes arose the St. James you see today. Rebuilt in the opulent baroque style, the church boasts over 20 altars, adorned with masterpieces by artists like Jan Jiří Heinsch, Václav Vavřinec Reiner, and Petr Brandl. A magnificent organ, installed in 1702, fills the air with sacred melodies. Within St. James’s walls lies the tomb of Count Vratislav of Mitrovice, a prominent figure in Bohemian history. His elaborate tomb, a masterpiece by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, stands as a testament to his importance. But St. James holds a darker secret. A mummified forearm, displayed near the tomb entrance, tells a chilling tale. Legend has it, a thief attempted to steal jewels from the statue of the Virgin Mary on the high altar. Miraculously, Mary’s hand clamped down on his arm, refusing to release him. The monks, discovering the would-be thief, were forced to sever his arm to free him from the Virgin’s grasp. This macabre relic serves as a stark warning against sacrilege. St. James is more than just a church; it’s a living museum, a testament to the enduring power of faith, and a repository of Prague’s captivating history.