Church of Our Lady of Victories

Welcome, seekers of history and spirituality, to the Lesser Town of Prague. As you are undoubtedly aware, Prague is affectionately, and accurately, known as the 'City of a Hundred Spires.' Amidst the colossal architectural titans…

Before we cross the threshold, let us examine the architectural face of the building. The Church of Our Lady Victorious is a prime example of early Baroque architecture in Prague, representing the militant, triumphant aesthetic…

Stepping into the nave, the sensory experience shifts dramatically. The air is often heavy with the ancient scent of frankincense and the metallic tang of melting votive candles. …

As we approach closer to the altar housing the statue, we must introduce the most pivotal figure in this narrative: Polyxena of Lobkowicz, the daughter of Maria Manrique de Lara. Polyxena inherited the statue from her mother, and…

We now stand directly before the ornate, gilded shrine of the Infant Jesus. Behind the protective glass stands the tiny figure, its right hand raised in a gesture of blessing, its left holding a miniature globe representing the…

Leaving the main nave, we must ascend the stairs to a truly unique exhibition space: a museum dedicated entirely to the wardrobe of the Infant Jesus. Following the restoration of the statue in the 17th century, a tradition…

As we conclude our visit and step back out into the cobbled streets of the Lesser Town, let us reflect on the profound dual nature of the Church of Our Lady Victorious. On one level, it is a magnificent historical artifact, a…