The more than 300-year old Loreto in Prague is one of the city’s most renown pilgrimage sites for the faithful. In June of 1626, construction began on the Loreto under the direction of the Baroness Katharina von Lobkowitz in an effort to attract Czechs back to the Catholic Church. The Loreto was built and expanded gradually over the 17th and 18th centuries. It was soon after the Loreto’s construction that the battle of White Mountain ensued, leaving Catholics in control of Prague once again.
The Loreto was built in the baroque architectural style and is complete with a bell tower including a Carillion with at least thirty bells that were cast in Amsterdam by Claudy Fremy in 1691. Since August 15, 1695, the bells at the Loreto have played every hour on the hour.
In the 19th century the Loreto underwent renovations, and in the 1950′s and 1960′s a new treasury was constructed that was open to the public.
The Loreto Grounds
The Loreto pilgrimage site is comprised of a self-contained complex of buildings and structures built around a central Santa Rosa with a two-story, oblong arcade courtyard. The modern day Church of the Nativity, as well as two other chapels were only shallow alcoves with alters when the original 17th century design of the grounds. As the number of visitors to the Loreto grew over time, it became necessary to increase the size of the liturgical spaces within the complex. By the end of the 17th century, larger chapels were built in the corners of the courtyard, and the Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lord was reconstructed in several phases into a larger, more spacious church.
The Loreto pilgrimage site also includes a main entrance into the complex, the Old Treasury, the New Treasury, several chapels including the Chapel of St. Anne, the Chapel of the Holy Family, the Chapel of St. Francis of Seraphinus, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Chapel of St. Antony of Padua. Two fountains are housed within the complex; one with a sculpture depicting the resurrection and the other with a sculpture depicting the assumption. A new building is currently under construction within the complex, the Adoration Chapel. The Loreto jewels and a collection of gifts are also on display for visitors.
The Loreto is one of the best preserved baroque structures in Prague and is considered to be one of the most spiritual places in the country. Since the Loreto’s inception the Capuchin Monks from the nearby monastery have taken care of the grounds and its pilgrims.
Church Services
The Lord’s Birth Church holds its holy mass every Sunday at 6 pm. The holy mass at the Santa Casa is held every Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Hours of Operation and Entrance Fees
The Loreto is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm and again at 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The Loreto is closed Mondays. The entrance fee for adults is CZK 110 and CZK 90 for students.