Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, Baroque cathedral in Petřín Hill, Prague, Czech Republic
The Cathedral of Saint Lawrence is a brick structure built in the Baroque style that sits on Petřín Hill in Prague. Its exterior displays classical eighteenth-century elements with carefully crafted details that reflect the building's religious purpose.
A Romanesque church is first documented here in 1135, and the hill's old German name Laurenziberg comes from it. In about 1740–1742 it was rebuilt in late dynamic Baroque style by Ignác Palliardi the Elder, probably using revised plans by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, whose bills for the work survive. Suppressed in 1784, it was repaired in 1830–1840 and reconsecrated in 1842.
The church gave Petřín its old German name Laurenziberg. From 1995 it has served as the cathedral of the Old Catholic Church of the Czech Republic, which also cares for the neighbouring Calvary chapel and Holy Sepulchre. A statue of St Adalbert by František Dvořáček, donated in 1842 by vineyard owner František Šusta, stands on the facade between the towers.
The site can be reached by several walking paths from Prague 1 and Malá Strana districts, with regular religious services held inside. The elevated location makes it convenient to visit nearby attractions such as the Hunger Wall and Petřín Lookout Tower.
The old German name for Petřín, Laurenziberg, comes from this church. The Brotherhood of Prague Cooks took on its upkeep, and the main altar was moved in 1784 to the church in Bříství. On the facade between the towers stands a statue of St. Adalbert signed "Dworzaček", donated in 1842 by František Šusta, owner of the Nebozízek vineyard.
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