Prague: Architecture & Art Study Notes

Charles Bridge – Old Town Bridge Tower

Chronology:
- Built 1357 under Emperor Charles IV, replacing the earlier Judith Bridge (destroyed 1342).
- Completed in the early 15th century.

Architectural Context:
- Designed by Peter Parler, the same architect as St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Gothic stone bridge with 16 arches; decorated with statues from the 17th–18th centuries.

Key Figures:
- Charles IV – initiator.
- Peter Parler – master builder.

Iconography & Decoration:
- Tower features statues of St. Vitus, St. Adalbert, and St. Sigismund.
- Symbolizes divine protection and royal authority.

Palace U Kunstatu

Chronology:
- Originally Romanesque (12th century), expanded in Gothic period.

Architectural Context:
- One of the oldest preserved stone residences in Prague.
- Romanesque arcades and cellars with thick walls and barrel vaults.

History:
- Owned by the House of Kunstát, a noble Moravian family.

Old Town Square

Chronology:
- Developed between the 12th and 14th centuries as Prague’s main market.

Key Monuments:
- Old Town Hall (1338): Gothic tower, later Renaissance and Baroque elements; astronomical clock (1410).
- Jan Hus Memorial (1915): Symbol of Czech national revival.
- Marian Column: 1648, destroyed 1918, rebuilt 2020.
- Church of Our Lady before Týn: Gothic, 14th–16th centuries.
- Stone Bell House: Gothic façade, possible residence of Charles IV’s family.

Týn Church – Entrance Iconography

Chronology:
- Construction began in the 14th century, completed in the early 16th.

Iconography:
- Portal depicts the Assumption of the Virgin and Christ Enthroned.
- Gilded Madonna symbolizes divine protection.
- Hussite chalice motif represents reformist theology.

Convent of St. Agnes / National Gallery

Chronology:
- Founded in the 1230s by Agnes of Bohemia, sister of King Wenceslas I.

Architecture:
- Early Gothic double convent with rib vaults and pointed arches.

Art of Charles IV’s Era:
- Master of Vyšší Brod Altarpiece (c. 1350): Narrative cycle of Christ’s life.
- Zbraslav Madonna: Icon of Czech Gothic painting.
- Master Theodoric: Karlštejn Castle, Chapel of the Holy Cross paintings.
- Votive Painting of Jan Očko of Vlašim (1370s): Donor portrait with symbolic humility.

Convent of St. Agnes – Churches and Cloister

Chronology:
- Completed mid-13th century.

Architecture:
- Two churches: St. Francis and St. Salvator.
- Transition from Romanesque to Gothic.
- Cloister served spiritual and communal life.

Key Figures:
- Agnes of Bohemia and Wenceslas I.

Castle Moat and Courtyards

Chronology:
- Origins in 9th century, expanded by Přemyslid, Luxembourg, and Habsburg rulers.

Key Developments:
- Great Moat for defense.
- Three main courtyards evolved through Gothic and Renaissance rebuilding.
- Center of royal power.

Basilica of St. George

Chronology:
- Founded 920 by Duke Vratislav I, enlarged by Boleslav II (973).

Architecture:
- Romanesque basilica with twin towers; restored 19th century in Neo-Romanesque style.

Monastery:
- Benedictine nunnery alongside; educational and cultural center.

Iconography:
- St. George slaying the dragon – victory of faith.
- Southern portico: Romanesque carvings of beasts and foliage.

Cathedral of St. Vitus

Chronology:
- Founded 1344 by Charles IV.
- Architects: Matthias of Arras, Peter Parler.

Architecture & Sculpture:
- Gothic verticality, stained glass, tracery.
- Parler’s net vaults, expressive busts, keystones.

Key Monuments:
- Chapel of St. Wenceslas, Tomb of St. John of Nepomuk, Crown of St. Wenceslas.
- Kaspar Bechteler’s view shows its dominance over Prague.

Pohořelec & Strahov Monastery

Chronology:
- Founded 1140s by Premonstratensians.

Libraries:
- Theological Hall (1670s): Baroque frescoed ceiling.
- Philosophical Hall (late 18th c.): Late Baroque–Neoclassical, monumental shelves.

Reforms:
- Joseph II’s secularization reorganized monastic libraries.

Rudolf II & Hradčany

Chronology:
- Reigned 1576–1612.

Significance:
- Prague as cultural and scientific hub.
- Patron of artists, scientists, and alchemists.

Loreto Church, Černin Palace, Edvard Beneš

Loreto Church:
- Built 1626–1750, Baroque pilgrimage site; façade by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.

Černin Palace:
- 1668–1697, Baroque by Francesco Caratti.
- Later Foreign Ministry under Edvard Beneš.

Schwarzenberg Palace

Chronology:
- Built mid-16th century in Renaissance style.

Features:
- Sgraffito façade imitating stone blocks.
- Arcaded courtyard typical of Renaissance design.

Matthias Gate of Prague Castle

Chronology:
- Constructed 1614 under Emperor Matthias.

Architecture:
- Early Baroque/Mannerist style; one of Central Europe’s earliest Baroque gates.

Benedikt Ried – Windows of Vladislav Hall

Chronology:
- Built c. 1490–1502 by Benedikt Ried.

Architecture:
- Late Gothic hall with complex rib vaults and large windows.
- Used for coronation banquets and assemblies.

Southern Portico of Basilica of St. George

Chronology:
- Built c. 1220s–1230s.

Decoration:
- Romanesque sculpture: lions, prophets, vegetal motifs.
- Biblical narrative in stone.

Prague Defenestration (1618)

Chronology:
- May 23, 1618: Protestant nobles threw Catholic officials from Prague Castle windows.

Significance:
- Sparked the Thirty Years’ War.
- Led to re-Catholicization and Baroque dominance in Prague.