Church of the Sacred Heart

The Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord stands right in the middle of Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague's Vinohrady district and ranks among the most distinctive religious buildings of 20th-century Central Europe.

Who designed the church?

The design belongs to Slovene architect Josip (Jože) Plečnik, who won the architectural competition announced in 1919 for a second parish church to serve the rapidly growing Královské Vinohrady district. Construction ran from 1928 to 1932, and the church was consecrated in May 1932. Since 2010 it has been protected as a Czech National Cultural Monument and is regarded as one of the most significant Czech religious buildings of the past century.

What makes the architecture unusual?

Plečnik blended classicism, early Christian architecture and modernist forms into a structure that resists easy classification. The grey, brick-clad rectangular building measures 38 by 26 metres and is covered by a coffered ceiling rising 13 metres above the floor. The overall shape was inspired by Noah's Ark, while the protruding stone studs on the façade evoke a royal ermine cloak. The church is crowned by a 42-metre tower topped with a copper dome whose metal finial is meant to resemble the royal apple, an orb traditionally held in a monarch's right hand.

What can you see inside?

The tower's most striking feature is its huge round window, which houses the largest clock face in the Czech Republic, measuring nearly 7.5 metres across. The opening was originally designed simply to let morning light into the nave. Inside, visitors find a white marble altar, a gilded three-metre statue of Christ, and six statues depicting the patron saints of Bohemia. The vestibule, which offers a view into the interior, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while longer guided visits require booking in advance. The church also opens roughly 40 minutes before each mass; masses are held Monday to Saturday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Sunday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

How do you get there?

The church sits directly on Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague 3, so it is impossible to miss as you step out of the metro station of the same name on line A. The address is Nám. Jiřího z Poděbrad 112/19, 130 00 Praha 3. The square around the church is lively year-round, ringed by cafés, a regular local market, and the Art Nouveau and functionalist buildings typical of Vinohrady, making the area worth a stop even beyond the church itself.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the vestibule keeps daytime hours, the easiest plan is a visit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., when you can look inside without any booking. If you want the full interior tour, arrange it ahead of time. Jiřího z Poděbrad Square also makes a good base for exploring the rest of Vinohrady, a district that feels noticeably calmer than Prague's crowded historic centre.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord? Slovene architect Josip Plečnik, who won the 1919 design competition; the building itself was constructed between 1928 and 1932.

How do I reach the church by metro? Take metro line A to the Jiřího z Poděbrad station — the church stands directly on the square right outside the exit.

What are the visiting hours? The vestibule, with a view into the interior, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Longer tours require advance booking, and the church additionally opens about 40 minutes before each scheduled mass.

What is the church's most distinctive feature? Its 42-metre tower with a copper dome, which houses the largest clock face in the Czech Republic at nearly 7.5 metres in diameter.