St. Nicholas Church on Old Town Square in Prague

One of the most remarkable Baroque landmarks in the historic city centre

Its history reaches back to the Middle Ages, its unusual layout creates exceptional acoustics, and the interior is dominated by a unique crystal chandelier shaped like a Russian imperial crown, which cannot be seen anywhere else.

St. Nicholas Church is directly on the Old Town Square. You will find it just a few steps from the Prague Astronomical Clock, on the corner of famous Pařížská Street. Entry to the church is free.

Please note: There are two famous St. Nicholas churches in Prague.
This one stands on Old Town Square, just a few steps from the Astronomical Clock

Why visit St. Nicholas Church?

Right on Prague ’s main sightseeing route, this Baroque treasure is too special to miss.

Originally one of the oldest churches in Prague
Open every day
Free entry
Unusual layout and famous acoustics
Large pipe organ
Monumental dome
Vaulted ceilings covered with rare frescoes
Enormous crystal chandelier that you can´t see anywhere else.

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Practical information

What you need to know before visit?

Address

Old Town Square 1101Prague 1, Old Town
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Opening hours

Daily visits from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Concerts usually from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (check here)

Admission

Entry to the church is free.
Concert tickets are available here.

Church services

Every Sunday at 10:00 AM (in Czech)
Every Wednesday at 12:00 noon (in Czech)

Accessibility

The church is wheelchair accessible with assistance.
There are a few steps and no lift.

St. Nicholas Church is still an active place of worship.
Visits may be partly restricted during church services,
concerts or other events.

Brief history of the church

The history of St. Nicholas Church on Old Town Square dates back to the Middle Ages. The original Romanesque church was one of the oldest churches in Prague. It was later replaced by a Gothic church, which served as an important spiritual centre of Prague’s Old Town for centuries.

The present Baroque church was built in the first half of the 18th century and designed by the renowned Baroque architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.

Its unusual layout with a circular dome in the centre, monumental interior and rich fresco decoration make it one of Prague’s most remarkable Baroque buildings.

The church has been used by different Christian denominations during its history. For more than 100 years, it has been used and managed by the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

St. Nicholas Church today

St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square is more than a historic landmark. It is still used for church services, by the local religious community and for regular music events.

Live music is the best way to discover what makes this space so special.

The layout of St. Nicholas Church on Old Town Square is different from that of most other churches in Prague. Its central design with a dome in the middle allows sound to spread from all directions and surround the audience. This creates a unique sound experience that is difficult to reproduce in an ordinary concert hall.

In St. Nicholach Chuch on the Old Town Square in Prague you do not only hear the music, you can also feel it.

This is difficult to describe

To truly understand it, you have to experience it for yourself at a live concert.

See upcoming concerts

More about acoustics