The ancient church of St. James mentioned already in the 12th century is located in the Old Town of Prague, on the corner of Štupartská and Jakubská streets. Both church and monastery belong to the most interesting sights of Prague, combining different architectural styles starting with Gothic and finishing with culminating Baroque. These historical premises were up to now closed for the public - with the exception of educational and musical activities.

In 1311 (or 1309) the coronation banquet of John of Luxemburg and Elizabeth Premyslid took place in this cloister. Prague Castle was in rubble at this time, so there was nothing left to do except choose another site in Prague for the celebration. Around 1337 the second wedding reception of John of Luxemburg, this one with Queen Beatrice, took place in this cloister. Charles IV later exercised his title as the Margrave of Moravia here, whence he dispensed privileges to the people of Prague. Likewise he was present when the church of St. James was consecrated in 1374 by Archbishop Jan Očko of Vlašim.

In its final form the church of St. Jacob was among the largest holy sites in Prague and the location for many celebrations, not just for religious occasions and funerals (in 1378 the body of Charles IV was laid out here on a magnificent bier), but also for very important events of political and religious natures (e.g. in 1392 the provincial court met here, in the years 1411 and 1414 church authorities negotiated here with Hussite representatives).

The splendid Gothic cellars that were the only premises preserved after the big fire in the 17th century are another place of interest. At that time a statuette of the Virgin Mary was deposited there. Normally this statuette is kept in the glassed cabinet at the main altar of the church already since the 15th century. The legend had it that this statuette had a miraculous power and people from the entire kingdom used to bring gifts of a considerable value and it happened frequently that the entire statue was covered by jewels and pearls.
One of the legends related to this church has it, that once, in troubled times, a thieve was attracted by a vision of an easy benefit and stayed in the church till vespers and let himself locked inside. He set out to the statue and stretched his hands towards the prey. But at that very moment somebody caught his hands. Seized by terror he found out that it was the statue of the Virgin Mary itself. Though he tried his hardest, he could not release himself from the iron grip and so he was forced to wait till the arrival of a parish clerk who immediately roused up both the monastery and the street and brought in an abbot. The abbot realised that it is not humanly possible to free the criminal´s hand and so he asked the statue if the thieve´s hand should be cut off. He hardly finished these words and the statue released its grip and the criminal could leave for the court. The judge endorsed the opinion that the supreme will must be respected and an executioner cut off the criminal´s hand in front of the church of Saint James. Till our times this hand is to be seen in the church. It hangs on the wall on the right hand side from the entrance, today a blackened stump.

Prices in USD, EUR and GBP will be calculated on the basis of the actual exchange rate (calculated rates are USD - 20 CZK, EUR - 27 CZK, GBP - 30 CZK) or use our currency converter.

...photos