Geographical coordinates Prague, Czech Republic, Central Europe : 50°05'08.8 "N 14°24'12.7 "E
Today we will look at the Church of Our Lady of Victory where the world famous miraculous statue of the Little Jesus of Prague is located.
The church was built in the early 17th century as a Lutheran church. As the Church of the Holy Trinity. After the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620, it was taken over by the Barefoot Carmelites.
The church itself is a beautiful baroque building, which from the outside does not look monumental, but when you go inside you will see beautiful, sumptuous decoration.
The church holds masses in Czech, English and Spanish. Spanish because the statue comes from this country. It was brought to Bohemia by the Spanish noblewoman and lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Spain, Maria Manriquez de Lara, on her marriage to Vratislav of Pernštejn, who gave it as a wedding gift to her daughter Polyxena of Lobkowitz.
Even in the morning, before the opening, pilgrims gather in front of the church to pay their respects to this relic.
With the kind permission of the chaplain who opened the church, I took some photos of the interior.
The ceiling is decorated with the noble coats of arms of the church's supporters and benefactors
The entire church is decorated with works by leading Baroque artists and mainly concerns the figures of saints and events associated with the Carmelite Order.
The highlight is the statue of the Prague Child Jesus, this relic is attributed with supernatural powers and is shrouded in legends. In 1631, when Prague was sacked by Saxon troops, the looting soldiers threw it among old useless things and rubble. In 1637, Father Cyril of the Mother of God. According to legend, he had a vision during his prayers and asked the Little Jesus to repair it. The statue's arms were broken and she was said to be begging for her arms to be restored so that she could bless the faithful again. After that, many miracles are attributed to her, such as restoring her sight and hearing, or helping the needy.
Well, that's all for today. Photographs can convey an idea of a place. But neither photographs nor the best description can replace a visit to the place they describe. So if you ever see Prague. Make sure you don't miss this place
