Church of Our Lady before Týn Religious Site

Address: Church of Our Lady before Týn (Týn Church), Old Town Square, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic

Admission: Services are free; tourist entry to the church interior/towers may require a small fee

The Church of Our Lady before Týn is a Gothic parish church located on Prague’s Old Town Square. Construction began in the 14th century and the building is one of the city’s principal medieval landmarks.

Work on the present Gothic church began in the 14th century and continued into the 15th century; earlier religious structures occupied the site in the medieval period. Over the centuries the interior acquired Baroque fittings and restorations, but the church has remained a principal parish and ceremonial building in Prague.

Sited on the eastern side of Old Town Square in Prague’s historic centre, the church sits in the heart of the Old Town district and is a short walk from the Astronomical Clock and other central attractions.

• Best viewpoint: Located directly on Old Town Square, the church is visible from multiple viewpoints across the square and from surrounding streets.

What to See#

• Twin towers: Two asymmetrical Gothic towers dominate the skyline of Old Town Square; the spires are a distinctive landmark seen across the square and surrounding streets.
• Nave and chapels: A vaulted nave with side chapels contains Baroque and Gothic furnishings, funerary monuments and a late-medieval altarpiece; the astronomer Tycho Brahe is buried here.

The Church of Our Lady before Týn sits on Prague’s Old Town Square. Take Prague Metro Line A to Staroměstská station - it’s then a 2-5 minute walk to the square. From Prague Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží) it’s about a 15-20 minute walk or a short metro/tram ride to the Old Town area (transfer to Line A and alight at Staroměstská).

• Go very early in the morning or after the midday tourist rush to see the church interior with less crowding; the Old Town Square is busiest midday and in evenings when cafés spill out.
• Approach directly from the square side to avoid the congested main tourist thoroughfares; once inside, look for the high Gothic nave and the ornate Baroque altarpieces that many visitors miss when they only admire the exterior towers.
• Check for service times if you want to attend or avoid liturgy; weekdays outside peak season are generally best for an uninterrupted visit.