Consider the stones before you. They whisper stories of survival and transformation at svatý Petr. The church stands as a testament to Prague’s resilience through centuries of change.
Svatý Petr was built around 1200. It was a Romanesque basilica. King Vratislaus I ordered its construction in the 12th century. It served the German community of Poříčí village.
Imagine the year 1200. Vladislav Henry, Margrave of Moravia, gives svatý Petr to the Teutonic Order. They establish a hospital and residency there. Later, Constance of Hungary buys it. She intends to found a Cistercian monastery. This plan shifts. Constance donates svatý Petr to the Hospital of St. Francis. This hospital evolves into the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star. This order still oversees svatý Petr today.
The original Romanesque basilica had two towers. These towers still stand. Inside, aisles opened with three arcades. Walls were thick made of stone. Paintings adorned the walls.
After floods in 1280, a mass grave was built. Later, a graveyard replaced it. A parish school was built in the early 14th century.
In 1382, Gothic reconstruction began on svatý Petr. The northern Romanesque nave was demolished. It was replaced by a Gothic two-aisle construction. The southern nave copied the original Romanesque plan.
During the Hussite period in 1414, a unique communion was introduced. Wine and bread were offered at side altars. In 1419, Hussites evicted the Knights. However, svatý Petr wasn’t destroyed. The Knights returned in 1436.
Another reconstruction was planned in the second half of the 15th century. The southern Romanesque nave was replaced. Two wider Gothic naves emerged. The towers were rebuilt in Gothic style. A new chapel appeared between the northern tower and nave. Around 1500, svatý Petr gained its new look. A tin baptismal font was added in 1544. A Gothic bell tower followed in 1598.
After the Battle of White Mountain, the last non-Catholic priest was exiled. The New Town Council cared for svatý Petr. In 1628, it returned to the Knights. During the Thirty Years’ War in 1632, the Saxons briefly controlled Prague. The church was damaged during the Swedish siege in 1648.
Extensive fires damaged svatý Petr. In 1666, lightning struck the tower. A great fire in 1680 burned the roof and turrets. The New Town Council couldn’t afford repairs. In 1686, the Knights regained svatý Petr. A long repair began.
In 1700, new benches were installed. Strahov Abbot Vit Seipel consecrated the main altar in 1702. Cracked vaults were repaired. The Prussians damaged svatý Petr in 1757. The interior was partly changed into baroque style.
By this time, svatý Petr housed seven altars. The main altar featured carvings by Matthias Bernard Braun.
In 1874–1879, Josef Mocker completely rebuilt svatý Petr. He removed baroque plaster. He rebuilt portals in pseudo-Gothic style. The church received new roofs. Windows were altered. The interior saw changes as well. New windows and benches were added. The number of altars reduced to six. The reconstruction finished in 1885.
Archaeological research occurred in 1913–1914. Romanesque elements were discovered. Interior repairs restored altar paintings. After 1948, the church was confiscated. It was returned after 1989. Floods in 2002 caused paving to collapse.
Today, svatý Petr stands mainly in Gothic style with Romanesque elements. It features three aisles and two towers. Three entrances mark the sides. The western frontage remains Romanesque. Inside, Gothic groin vaults reach to corbels. Marble lines the floor.
The Renaissance Revival clergy house is part of svatý Petr. Built in 1893, it features sgraffito designs by Celda Klouček.
Svatý Petr has seen many changes. It has survived wars, fires, and reconstructions. It stands as a symbol of Prague’s enduring spirit. Take a moment to appreciate its long history.