Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Prague: History & Highlights

Although the Church of Our Lady of the Snows is just a few steps away from bustling Wenceslas Square, most tourists don’t even notice it. It’s tucked away between the square itself and Vodíčkova and Jungmannova Streets. It's well worth seeking out. You’ll be rewarded with an unusually quiet spot right in the heart of the city - the Franciscan Garden - and one of Prague’s most impressive churches.
	The Church of Our Lady of the Snows was founded by Charles IV, King of Bohemia, in 1347. It was intended not only to serve as the church of the adjacent Carmelite monastery but also as the coronation site for Bohemian rulers. That explains the ambitious scale of the project. It was planned to be over 100 meters long, with vaults rising to a height of 40 meters. The church was intended to outshine even St. Vitus Cathedral in size. However, construction dragged on. Then the Hussite Wars broke out, and funds to complete the church eventually ran out. All that remained of the original plan was the choir, which is still in use today. In 1606, the monastery and the church passed into the hands of the Franciscan Order. It has belonged to this order ever since.
The Church of Our Lady of the Snows holds one architectural record in Prague. It has Prague's tallest column altar, standing 29 meters high. Seen from below, even the seven-meter-tall crucifix crowning the altar looks surprisingly small. Among the church’s most valuable works of art are the 15th-century Gothic baptismal font and the painting ‘The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary’ (1724) by Václav Rainer.
	On your way back to Wenceslas Square, take a look at an unusual lamppost near the church, beside the entrance to U Pinkasů restaurant. It was designed in 1913 by an architect Emil Králíček in the then-fashionable Cubist style. The lamppost is made of artificial stone and resembles several diamonds stacked on top of one another. There’s even a small bench at the base. After city maintenance crews recently repaired its electrical wiring, the lamppost once again lights up this corner of Prague, just as it did more than a century ago.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Prague, there are plenty of exciting activities and tours to explore the city’s history, architecture, and culture. From guided walking tours through the Old Town to boat trips along the Vltava River, you can discover hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Check out a curated selection of top Prague experiences on the GetYourGuide platform to plan an unforgettable trip.

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