St. Salvator Church at Charles Bridge

Sited at one end of Charles Bridge, St. Salvator is a city landmark, marking the entrance to the Old Town.

St. Salvator is considered one of the most valuable examples of early-Baroque architecture in the city. It was built by the Jesuits in the Gothic style between 1578-1601, with significant Baroque features added between 1649-1654.

Celebrated architects Carlo Lurago, Francesco Caratti and Frantisek Kanka were in charge of its construction.

The church has a beautiful façade. Its portico is decorated with sand-stone sculptures of saints created by Jan Jirí Bendl. A niche in the wall houses a sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

The interior of St. Salvator Church is deceptively large, much grander than one imagines from the outside. It has three aisles and galleries; a very high central aisle leads to a stunning dome painted with frescos.

St. Salvator boasts two magnificent organs, both of which are played at Mass and in classical concerts.

The holy building conceals a paradox which characterises the work of the Jesuit Order in Bohemia: in the crypt are buried both Father Koniáš, the “destroyer of Czech books”, and Bohuslav Balbín, known as the “defender of the Czech language”.

In winter, the seats at St. Salvator are heated and have cushions, but it is still advisable to wear warm clothing for concerts.

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