River Vltava - Czech republic

spring (source):
Vltava river is created by confluence of Teplá (Warm) and Studená (Cold) Vltava in a natural preserve Mrtvý luh near to the community of Nová Pec in Bohemian Forest.

flow length:
430 km

Localites

Týn Lord´s Mother Church

Locality type:
Relics

Place:
Capital Prague

Týn Lord´s Mother Church is situated in Prague, on Old Town Square. It comes from 14th century and belongs to important Old Town churches.

History

In past, there was placed here Romanesque church from 11th century. It was substituted with early Gothic construction in second half of 13th century. Anyway, early within 14th century, there was established  here actual top Gothic church, which became main church of Old Town. At the beginning of 15th century, the church had three towers, shield and truss. In the course of Hussite wars, the church was besieged by a group of Jan Huss adherents. In 1427, Hussite Archbishop Jan Rokycana was elected as a priest here, he was also buried in the church. After Hussite wars, the construction would be terminated and covered with a roof. Nevertheless, the wood for truss was used for construction of gallows for rebels (Jan Roháč and his friends were executed, according to Emperor Zikmund´s command on Old Town Square, after conquest of last Hussite bastion - Sion Castle.) instead of roof covering.

When George of Poděbrady was elected as a King of Bohemia, the church construction was nearly terminated. A shield of main navy and north tower were built. South tower is of 1511. The towers are 80 metres high.

However, the church was damaged by great fire in 1679. So, main navy as well as presbyterium had to be let down moderately and vaulted with Baroque brick vaulted ceiling. In the middle of 19th century, at north tower there was replaced and added  truss damaged  by fire.

The building

The church is three-part Gothic construction with two towers on west part. Lateral navies are finished with not deep polygonal chapels at five parts of eight-squares. Main navy is vaulted with six rectangular, in wide space arranged fields of compressed vaulted early Baroque vaulted ceilings with triangle sectors. The church is enlightened with a row of arisen, pointed terminated Gothic windows equipped with stone circles. Among towers, there is placed rich decorated Gothic shield with Baroque relief of Madonna.

Text: Václav Zamba

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Google