Church of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is a neo-Gothic parish church standing on Strossmayerovo náměstí in Prague's Holešovice district (Prague 7). It's one of the younger churches in the city, built at the start of the 20th century when the district's older place of worship could no longer keep up with a growing population.

Why was a new church needed in Holešovice?

By the late 19th century, Holešovice-Bubny was expanding quickly, and residents had been relying on the older Church of St. Kliment, which had simply run out of room. A committee was formed to build a proper parish church for the district, and the foundation stone was laid and consecrated on 25 October 1908. Construction itself wrapped up by 1911, but the formal consecration didn't happen until 1914, performed by the Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Lev Skrbenský z Hříště.

Who designed the church?

The design came from architect František Mikš, while the construction work was carried out by builder Josef Vaňha. What they created is a three-nave hall church with a projecting presbytery closed off by a triple-apse end — a layout typical of the neo-Gothic revival style favored for church architecture at the time.

What does the facade look like?

The west facade is topped by a pair of slender, square-plan towers with bell chambers in their upper sections, giving the building the silhouette that makes it easy to pick out from a distance. The central part of the facade carries an elaborate stone-carved decoration: the porch holds statues of St. Ludmila and St. Wenceslas by sculptor Fr. Přítel, while the gable above displays figures of Saints Cyril, Anthony of Padua, and Methodius, carved by Štěpán Zálešák. The church's namesake, St. Anthony of Padua, stands right in the middle of that trio.

Is the church protected as a heritage site?

Yes — since 2015 the church has been listed as an immovable cultural monument, a recognition of its historical and architectural value within Prague. It remains an active parish church today, home to the Roman Catholic parish of Prague-Holešovice, also known as the parish of St. Anthony of Padua.

Where exactly is the church located?

It stands on Strossmayerovo náměstí, right in the heart of Holešovice near the boundary with Bubny — its twin towers are visible from several points across the district, making it a useful landmark for orientation.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Holešovice? Construction began in 1908 and finished in 1911, though the formal consecration didn't take place until 1914 — so the church is now well over a century old.

What architectural style is the church built in? It's a neo-Gothic (pseudo-Gothic) building, typical of the revival style used for church architecture around the turn of the 20th century.

Who was the architect behind the church? The design is the work of architect František Mikš, with construction carried out by builder Josef Vaňha.

Why is the church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua? The church was consecrated to this saint, whose statue stands at the top of the facade alongside figures of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Is the church a protected heritage site? Yes, it has been listed as an immovable cultural monument since 2015.