Top 10 Prague Cathedrals You Need to Know

Standing in the middle of Malostranské Square is the most famous Baroque church in Prague. This structure is not to be confused with the other Church of St Nicholas in the Old Town Square. The church is the masterpiece of Christoph and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, father and son, who were inspired by Baroque examples in Northern Italy and constructed many buildings during the Baroque period. Unfortunately, neither of them lived to see Kilian's son-in-law, Anselmo Lurago, finished its completion and the building. The interior of St Nicholas Church is decorated with some stunning paintings and frescoes. Once you are inside this stunning Prague cathedral, make sure to look up at the ceiling to see the glorious 1770 fresco by Johann Kracker. It is called the Apotheosis of St. Nicolas, and it happens to be one of the largest frescoes in Europe.

Be sure to climb the 60 stairs up to the gallery to gain a closer view of this fresco. The main organ consisting of over 4000 pipes that echoes throughout this massive Prague cathedral of St. Nicolas was famously played by Mozart during his stay in Prague. The cathedral is open from 9 am to 4 pm or 5 pm depending on the month, and there are many organ concerts that you can enjoy at St Nicholas Church, especially if you visit in high season, which runs from late March to early November. You can find St Nicholas Church in Prague at Josefska 28/8, Prague 118 00, Czech Republic. While there is no admission fee to enter the church, donations are appreciated.

Historically one of the most significant of the Prague cathedrals the Church of St James is located in the Old Town Square. It is as well known for its architecture as it is for its history. The church was first built in Gothic style, but suffered great damages in the fire of Old Town in 1689 and was rebuilt, which is when it got its Baroque look. The interior of this Prague cathedral is very impressive and is a must-visit for anyone interested in Baroque art and architecture. The tomb of Count Vratislav of Mitrovice inside the church is one of the most beautiful Baroque tombs. After Count Vratislav was buried, people started hearing noises coming from the tomb, and religious people who thought that the spirit of the count couldn’t find its peace sprinkled holy water on the tomb. They found that the noises stopped after a few days. Several years later, when the tomb was opened again, they found the coffin damaged and the remains of the count outside the coffin. Unfortunately, he was buried alive, and when he woke up from his deep unconsciousness, he tried to alert the people in the church. Since nobody realized it at the time, he found a terrible death there.

Another interesting thing to see at the Church of St James is the mummified forearm of a thief that tried to steal gifts from the statue of the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that the statue grasped his hand so tight that he couldn’t leave, and his arm had to be amputated. His arm was then hung on the wall as a warning to anyone else looking to steal from the church.

The church can be found in Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic and can be visited for free. Make sure to check the opening hours, though, as it is only open for a few hours each day.

One of the oldest Baroque buildings in Prague, the Church of Our Lady Victorious, is on the list of Prague cathedrals to visit, especially for travelers looking to view the famous statue of Infant Jesus. Originally named the Church of the Holy Trinity, the church was renamed after the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. In the church, you will find the statue of Infant Jesus that was donated to the church in 1628 and is credited with miraculous healing and, amongst other things, with saving Prague during the Swedish siege of 1639.

Admission to the church is free, and you can find it at Karmelitská 9, 118 00 Praha 1 – Lesser Town. You can get there quite easily - cross Charles Bridge, go towards the Prague castle, and in Karmelinska Street you will find the Church of Our Lady Victorious.

One of the architectural highlights, this medieval Prague cathedral is a must-see during your time in the city. The Basilica of St George is one of the churches within the grounds of Prague Castle complex and is one of the oldest preserved religious buildings in Prague. Founded in 920, it had to be rebuilt in 1142 due to a devastating fire, and the striking Baroque façade that we see today was added in between 1671 to 1691. The church’s overall design is very simple, and as soon as you step inside, you will notice the old world feel that the church gives off. The windows are positioned in such a way that they provide dramatic lighting as the sun shines spectacularly into the church. The frescoes at the altar are quite vibrant and will capture your attention as you walk by. The church also serves as a final resting place for Ludmila of Bohemia, the grand-mother of King Wenceslaus and a martyr as well as a saint.

You can find the church at Prazsky Hrad, Prague 119 08, Czech Republic, and it is worth noting that you need to purchase a tour ticket to visit. With its high ceiling and beautiful setting within Prague Castle, The Basilica of St George is also a wonderful venue for classical concerts that happen regularly. Since the church is so old, modern heating and cooling have not been installed, so if you visit in the winter or summer, be sure to dress appropriately, and if you are attending the concerts, arrive early because of the security check within the Prague Castle area.

Situated at the Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral is possibly the most important and largest of the Prague cathedrals. Grand coronations of multiple Czech kings and queens took place here, and it is also the final resting place for several patron saints and noblemen. Built over almost 600 years, St Vitus Cathedral is very important to the cultural life of the Czech Republic. St. Vitus Cathedral is enormous and exploring it in its entirety might seem daunting to first-time visitors, but it can be done. While a lot of people get caught up in the interiors of this structure, take some time to examine the church’s exterior. You’ll spot all the different creatures which hang over the roof - dragons, scorpions, musicians, and more. At the entrance, there is a crowded vestibule where you can take a peek at the interior of the cathedral, but it is well worth it to buy a ticket and go deeper in to explore more of the structure. Even if you’re not religious, the gothic architecture, beautiful stained-glass windows depicting multiple scenes, and stunning statues make this one of the top sights to see while in Prague. For those of you who have the courage and energy, be sure to climb the High Tower to get some of the most impressive views of the city and courtyards below. The bell atop the tower is named "Sigismund Bell" and to hear it ring out loud is something special.

Because of how popular St Vitus Cathedral is, there is almost always a line to get in, but it is worth it to get there early and avoid the weekends if possible. If you are feeling adventurous, there are multiple ways to access the Prague Castle on foot by climbing up the stairs on the hill. If public transport is more your thing, there are several tram stops nearby and also two metro stations. The cathedral is open for visiting Sunday from 12 noon to 3:30 PM, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Another beautiful structure at the Prague Castle, St George’s Convent, holds the privilege of being the first monastery in Bohemia and can be found in the Northern part of the castle complex at St. George’s Square. While significantly smaller than some of the bigger churches, its history and beauty have earned it a spot on the list of must-visit Prague cathedrals. It was founded in 973 by Prince Boleslav II and his sister Mlada who then later became the first abbess of the convent. Since the monarch founded it, it gave St George's Convent a privileged position among the other monasteries. It is an early Romanesque building, which consists of two-story buildings surrounding two paradise courtyards. The convent's current appearance is largely the result of a 12th-century reconstruction during which the original ground floor was raised one floor higher. The convent served as a spiritual center, where girls from well-situated families acquired a superb education. It is currently used for exhibitions of the National Gallery.

One of the most recognizable structures in Prague, the Church of our Lady of Tyn was built in the 14th century and used to be a place of worship for foreign merchants visiting the city. The distinctive twin towers of this impressive Gothic structure have made this Prague cathedral an unmistakable Old Town landmark. Though quite Gothic on the exterior, the church is Baroque in its interiors. Legend has it that the Tyn Church towers gave Walt Disney the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Whether that legend is true or not, the church is a beautiful sight during the day, and even more so at night, brightly lit up against a night sky. It is a bit tricky to find the entrance, as it is along a passage from the square.

Furthermore, the church has limited hours for visiting. The Church of Our Lady before Tyn is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. It is also an occasional concert venue where you can catch some beautiful classical concerts and has the oldest pipe organ in Prague.

Standing tall for over 800 years, The St Nicholas Church is one of the most distinctive Prague cathedrals you will see in Old Town Prague. The monumental Baroque structure is a masterpiece worth seeing and was created by a genius of his time Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer and was completed in 1737. The original design of the ceiling, frescoes, stucco decoration, and statues are a masterful example of the Baroque sense of dramatic effect, and this church has one of the most impressive interiors of any of the Prague cathedrals. St. Nicholas serves both as a church and as a magnificent venue for early evening classical music concerts. During the winter, the interior of the church is heated, but it is advisable to wear warm clothing for the concerts.

The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm, and it is accessible by Prague public transport. You can take the metro A (green line) and get off at the StaromÄ›stská station or take trams Nos. 17, 18 and get off at the StaromÄ›stská stop.

Lying in between the busy Old Town square and the scenic Vltava River, the Prague Jewish Quarter has been around for a very long time. Officially called Josefov, it is beautiful and sad at the same time due to its complicated history. It used to be the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe, and its Old Jewish Cemetery is the most remarkable of its kind on the continent. The synagogues within the quarter are worth a visit, especially The Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue, which is the oldest active synagogue in Europe. All the sites of the Jewish Museum are located in the area of the former “ghetto” within comfortable walking distance of each other.

They are open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM during summer and from 9 AM to 4:30 PM during winter, except Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and the admission fees depend on the sites chosen.

And finally, the best for last. Founded around 880 AD, the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world and the top tourist attraction in Prague and comprises of some of the most famous Prague cathedrals. It is the city's most recognizable landmark and covers over 18 acres, so be prepared to see a lot and do a fair bit of walking. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and depending on the time you have and your interests, you can decide which interiors to visit. You can choose to get up to the castle on foot or by tram, and you will need to purchase a ticket to enter. The timings of the castle are quite varied - April-October Castle Courtyard 6:00-22:00, Historic Buildings 9:00-17:00; November-March Castle Courtyard 6:00-22:00, Historic Buildings 9:00- 16:00. The opening hours of the various attractions and exhibitions in the castle are different.

Most people visit Prague because it's one of the most popular destinations in Central Europe due to the allure of the historic Baroque, Gothic, and Romanesque architecture on every one of the Prague cathedrals. Prague's public transportation options make getting around the city easy, as most of these structures are only a few minutes away from each other. Whether you choose to go to Prague in the summer months when you can also catch one of the many live kinds of music and floating beer garden events that happen especially on the boardwalk, or you choose to head over in the winter to indulge in all the Christmas markets, make sure to put these beautiful structures on your list of things to see while in Prague.