Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord

Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord (Czech: Kostel Nejsvětějšího Srdce Páně) stands on Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague, right on the border between the Vinohrady and Žižkov districts, and ranks among the most unusual 20th-century church buildings anywhere in Europe.

Who designed the church, and why does it look so different?

The building was designed by Jože Plečnik, the Slovene architect who was simultaneously overseeing the renovation of Prague Castle on behalf of President Masaryk. Plečnik won the architectural competition held in 1919, and construction ran from 1928 to 1932. Rather than following the neo-Gothic or historicist fashions of the time, he drew on early Christian and classical antiquity for inspiration, producing a stark, geometric form loaded with symbolism. The most distinctive feature of the façade is a row of projecting stone blocks meant to evoke a royal ermine cloak, a nod to the coronation traditions historically tied to Czech churches.

What makes the tower and its giant clock so recognizable?

The flat, south-European-style tower spans the full width of the façade and rises 42 metres, capped by a three-metre copper dome and a four-metre cross. The large round opening in the tower was originally meant only to let morning light into the nave; a clock face 7.6 metres in diameter was installed there only later, becoming one of the largest church clocks in Europe and the reason the building doubles as an informal landmark for the whole square.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior measures 38 by 26 metres, with a coffered ceiling reaching 13 metres. Above the white marble main altar hangs a three-metre gilded figure of Christ set within a symbolic heart, flanked by six larger-than-life Czech patron saints: John of Nepomuk, Agnes, Adalbert, Wenceslas, Ludmila and Prokop. The side altars and much of the furnishing were designed by Otto Rothmayer, Plečnik's student and close collaborator, who continued shaping the interior even after Plečnik left Prague in 1934.

What is special about the crypt?

Beneath the main nave lies a crypt whose brick vault, left unplastered, sweeps all the way down to the floor, creating a stripped-back, almost austere space that contrasts with the more ceremonial upper church. A new altar installed in November 2018 reopened light openings into the crypt that had previously been covered by a podium.

What is the church's current heritage status?

The church was declared a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic in 2010. In 2014, the Prague 3 district and the Czech Ministry of Culture nominated it, together with Plečnik's works in Ljubljana, for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get there? The easiest way is Metro Line A to the Jiřího z Poděbrad station, which sits right next to the church.

Can you visit the inside? The vestibule, which offers a view into the nave, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full access to the interior is generally possible about 45 minutes before Mass, and longer visits can be arranged in advance.

When are the Masses held? Monday to Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday four times a day — at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Is this the only church with this dedication? No — the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most common church dedications in Catholic countries, so many unrelated churches share the same name worldwide. The building described here is specifically Plečnik's modernist landmark in Prague.