Prague´s Architecture - Guide to Architecture in Prague

Travel back in time and explore Prague´s architecture

Prague’s architecture is spellbinding. Many architectural gems from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras remain intact because the city was not rebuilt like most European capital cities during the 18th or 19th centuries when it was only a provincial town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Also, Prague was spared the tragic fate of cities such as Dresden during World War II.

If you want to travel 10 centuries back in time and explore all architectural styles – Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, Historicism, Art Nouveau, Cubism, Functionalism, and Social Realism during Communism – there is no better place than Prague. To be sure, Prague is a sort of “museum of architecture under the open sky.”  The largest urban historical center listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this well-preserved area covers 900 hectares that include some 4,000 monuments.

Gothic architecture

Gothic architecture made its appearance in Prague during the 13th century and consisted of pointed arches and flying buttresses. The dominating feature of Gothic architecture, however, is the ribbed vault, which featured pointed arches. The ribbed vault was popular because it was thinner, lighter, and more versatile than Romanesque stone vaults, which were very heavy. Most buildings were built with stone, especially sandstone. High Gothic was popular when Emperor Charles IV was on the throne. Gothic elements can still be seen in the Charles Bridge, the New Town, and Saint Vitus’ Cathedral, all of which Emperor Charles IV had built. St. Vitus Cathedral is the biggest church in Prague and home to the tombs of Bohemian kings as well as the crown jewels.

Renaissance

Influenced by ancient Greek and Roman culture and stressing symmetry and geometry, the Renaissance style first appeared in Florence during the 15th century.  Large, comfortable, and light spaces helped define Renaissance structures. The horizontal was stressed in a simple form. Columns, pilasters, lintels, semicircular arches, and niches were characteristic of this trend. The style caught on in Prague during the end of that century. Not only did Vladislav Hall’s windows feature Renaissance elements, but the side portal of St. George’s Church, also at Prague Castle, took on a Renaissance look at that time. Built from 1538 to 1563, the Prague Castle royal summer palace was heralded as the first Renaissance structure in Prague. Its geometric garden featured exotic plants, and its bronze fountain, called the Singing Fountain, became one of the most prominent Renaissance sculptures in the Czech land. By the middle of the 16th century, the Renaissance style was in fashion.

Baroque

Next in line was Baroque architecture, which featured monumental, dynamic effects and illusory elements. Other characteristics of this lavish style of innovative forms, light, and shadow include large-scale ceiling frescoes, broader naves in churches, the chiaroscuro effect, opulent ornamentation, and pear-shaped domes. The name Baroque stems from the Italian “Barocco,” which means strange and peculiar. Large structures were made of brick, stone, or both and covered with thick layers of plaster. The movement was connected to the Counter-Reformation when the Catholic Church implemented internal reforms. Prague Baroque flourished, making quite a name for itself in Europe. Krystof Dientzhofer was responsible for, among others, Saint Nicholas Church in the Lesser Town, which was given a Baroque look at the end of the 17th century.  It took 50 years to build the Baroque jewel that includes a three-leaf chancel and 70-meter high dome created by Krystof’s son, Kilian Ignac Dientzenhofer.