The building with the distinctive octagonal dome is the former Klaster svateho Mari Magdaleny (Convent of St Mary Magdalene) (currently undergoing restoration). Hopefully more of the original Gothic church, demolished in 1420, will be uncovered. The present baroque structure dates from 1656-77. Both convent and church were secularised towards the end of the 18th century; the convent functioning for a while as a post office and then as a police barracks. It now houses the Czechoslovak Historical Archive.
The undistinguished and rather gloomy Kostel Panny Marie Vitezne (Church of Our Lady of Victories) is famous only for its statue of the Holy Infant of Prague. The beautifully robed wax figure was brought here from Spain in the middle of the 16th century. The church was originally a Lutheran foundation, but was handed over to the Carmelite Order in 1624.
Maltese Square
The square can best be approached from Lazeriska (starting from Mostecka, the first street on the left). The building at the far end (no. 4) is the Convent of the Order of Maltese Knights, now the Czech Academy of Sciences. (Note the Maltese Cross on the main door and under the roof ) The house at no. 6 was once a hotel. Peter the Great stayed here on one occasion as did the French poet Rene Chateaubriand. To the left of the entrance next door is a plaque commemorating the fact that Beethoven lived here in 1796.
The Kostel Panny Marie pod retezem (Church of Our Lady) was once part of the monastery complex of the Maltese Knights. The foundation dates from 1169 and traces of the original Romanesque buildings can still be seen in the courtyard, behind the two Early Gothic towers (1389). The church was reconstructed in the 17th century and the artwork of the interior dates mainly from this period. Next door is the Museum of Musical
Maltese Square runs off to the right. On the corner at no. 11 is the house At the Painters. Renaissance in spirit (it was built in 1531) it is now one of the most sought-after restaurants in Prague, u Maliiu. Of the many outstanding buildings in the square, the Palais Turba (no. 6, with the brilliant white and pink facade) is possibly the finest. Constructed in rococo style in 1767, it is now the Japanese Embassy. Also look out for the Nostitz Palace (no. 1). This huge baroque edifice was designed in the years 1658-60 for the Nostitz family. Some of the external details are rococo additions. The palace is now the premises of the Dutch Embassy.
Museum of Musical Instruments
Situated in the heart of the Lesser Quarter, the museum boasts an outstanding collection of old keyboard instruments: handsomely crafted clavichords, harpsichords and early pianofortes dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. (Incidentally, Beethoven stayed at no. 11 Lazenska while on a visit to Prague in 1796.)
Open: (summer only) Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. Closed: Monday.
Na Kampe
Leading away to the east of Maltese Square, at the end of Velkopfevor namesti, is the islet known as Na Kamp& Separated from the Maid Strana proper by the Certovka or Devil’s Stream, it is a secluded world of its own, with stately period houses, waterways, parks and gardens. From the late 16th century Na Kampe became known for its pottery markets. Ceramics from the Beroun region and the Vltava valley were sold here. This tradition is still continued by the shops selling Czech ceramics here.