The Church of Our Lady before Týn rises over the eastern side of Old Town Square, its twin 80-metre Gothic spires defining the Prague skyline. Construction began in the mid-14th century, and the church later became a principal Hussite stronghold before returning to Catholic hands in the 1620s. Today it remains an active parish church and draws visitors for its towering silhouette and dense layering of Gothic and Baroque history.
You enter through a narrow passage beneath the arcaded Týn School building, which hides most of the church’s lower facade from the square. Inside, Karel Škréta’s paintings crown the Baroque high altar. Near the altar, a marble slab marks the tomb of the astronomer Tycho Brahe. Look for the pewter baptismal font from 1414, regarded as the oldest in Prague. On the north side, the carved portal reflects the influence of the Parler workshop. The towers are known as Adam and Eve, and they are deliberately unequal in width.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Opening hours are limited and usually include a midday closure. The church is closed to sightseers during Mass, so check the posted schedule at the entrance before planning your visit. A small admission donation applies. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to go. For photographs, the floodlit spires look strongest at dusk from the far side of the square. The Astronomical Clock is a short walk away, and the nearest metro station is Staroměstská on line A.
