Tyn Church

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Tyn Church is one of Prague’s iconic landmarks, its unique twin towers visible from all over the city and a useful bearing for disorientated tourists, who can’t find their way back to their Prague apartment rental. A day out to the Old Town is not complete without a visit to this building.

The church is situated behind a row of picturesque, arcaded old buildings. It dominates the eastern end of the Old Town Square, and its mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements make for a striking contrast. From most apartment rentals in Prague, travel to Tyn Church is easy as the city has a good public transport system. You can wander around this church all day without getting bored and maybe even take some time out to pray for continuing good weather, if nothing else.

The present church was started in 1365. At that time there was a movement for religious reform sweeping Bohemia, Tyn Church soon became identified with it. At the time of the European Reformation, in the early 15th century, this was the main Hussite place of worship in Prague. The Hussite Bohemian ruler George Podebrady took communion here.

The Hussite movement, founded by the radical religious reformer Jan Huss, an advocate for separation from Rome, had a turbulent history. Huss was burned at the stake for his novel ideas, and Hussites were regularly slaughtered by the ruling Catholics, before they organised themselves into a force to be reckoned with.

The church has a gorgeous and highly embellished entrance portal on its northern side, built in 1390 and decorated with numerous scenes from the Passion. Inside, the church has a suitably atmospheric air of gloom and meditation, and the darkness seems to throb with Gothic sculptures. Thematically, these centre on the events at Calvary. There is also a pewter font dating from 1414. The impressive pulpit was installed in the 15th century.

The altarpiece, fashioned in the Baroque style, has paintings dating from 1649 by the artist Karel Skreta. The pipe organ was installed in 1673, is the oldest in the city and one of the finest in Europe.

Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer whose obsessive collecting of astronomical data was made use of by Copernicus when he was gathering proof for the heliocentric universe, is buried beneath the flagstones. His marble tomb is a crowd puller and a virtual place of pilgrimage for anyone interested in astronomy or the history of science. Visitors from all Prague apartment rentals are within easy reach.

Although visitors can be reluctant to leave their comfortable Prague apartments, a visit to Tyn Church will be a rewarding and educational one, with great photo opportunities. You can have lunch in one of the many picturesque pubs and cafes available in this dynamic area of the city.