Description of the attraction
The silhouette of the Tyn Church is recognizable: its two turrets are replicated on postcards, magnets, posters, and paintings by street artists. This temple is one of the visiting cards of the Czech capital; everyone who has visited Prague has seen it, and those who have not yet been there want to see it. It is impossible to miss this church: it is located right on the Old Town Square - opposite the Town Hall. However, to get inside the church, you need to go through a small gallery, because the facade of the Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn is located behind one of the houses on the Old Town Square.
The Gothic temple was built in a little less than two centuries. Construction began in 1339 and was completely completed in 1511. In the foundations of this temple you can find stones from a Romanesque building that was destroyed, clearing the way for the construction of a new church.
The Tyn Church at one time was the main site of the Hussites, its facade was decorated with a statue of the Hussite king, but after the defeat of the Czech reform movement, this sculpture was removed, a statue of the Virgin Mary was put in its place, the temple was dedicated to her and given to the Jesuits.
The famous German architect Peter Parler was involved in the construction of the temple. In his workshop, the decor of the northern portal was created, which has survived to this day.
Many legends and historical anecdotes are associated with the Tyn Church. For example, it is said that one of the statues on the façade, even during the time of the Hussites, held a golden cup, which was chosen by storks for their nest. They often fed their offspring with frogs. Sometimes frogs fell right out of their beaks onto the heads of the parishioners. Once an amphibian fell on the head of an important person who caused a big scandal. The bowl had to be removed from the facade.
Nowadays, the temple is open to visitors and often hosts classical music concerts.
