The Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn Is A Dominant Feature Of The Old Town Of Prague, Czech Republic, Editorial Photo

This church has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church`s towers are 80 m high and topped by four small spires. Construction of the present church began in the 14th century in late Gothic style. In the 11th century, this area was occupied by a Romanesque church, which was built there for foreign merchants coming to the nearby Tyn Courtyard. Later it was replaced by an early Gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn in 1256. Construction of the present church began in the 14th century in the late Gothic style under the influence of Matthias of Arras and later Peter Parler. By the beginning of the 15th century, construction was almost complete; only the towers, the gable and roof were missing. The church was controlled by Hussites for two centuries, including John of Rokycan, future archbishop of Prague, who became the church`s vicar in 1427. The building was completed in the 1450s, while the gable and northern tower were completed shortly thereafter during the reign of George of Podebrady 1453–1471. His sculpture was placed on the gable, below a huge golden chalice, the symbol of the Hussites. The southern tower was not completed until 1511