St. Salvator Church at Charles Bridge
Old Town, Prague 1

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

The Jesuits built St. Salvator Church in the Gothic style between 1578-1601, with significant Baroque features added between 1649-1654. The celebrated architects Lurago, Caratti and Kanka were all involved in its construction.

Today the church is considered one of the most valuable examples of early-Baroque architecture in Prague. It has a beautiful facade, with porticos decorated with sand-stone sculptures of saints by Jan Jirí Bendl. A niche in the wall houses a sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

St. Salvator is deceptively large inside. It has three very high aisles, with galleries, and a stunning dome painted with frescos.

The church also conceals a paradox which characterises the work of the Jesuit Order in Bohemia: in the crypt are buried not only Father Koniáš, the “destroyer of Czech books”, but also Bohuslav Balbín, the “defender of the Czech language”.

St. Salvator boasts not one, but two magnificent organs. These have been recently restored and both are played at Mass and during classical music concerts, which run throughout the year.

During the winter the seats are heated and have cushions, but it is advisable to wear warm clothing for the concerts.

For listings and to book tickets for classical concerts at St. Salvator Church at Charles Bridge: Prague concerts.