Church of Our Lady before Týn, Gothic church in Old Town, Czech Republic.
The Church of Our Lady before Týn is a place of worship in the Old Town of Prague, Czech Republic, with two towers reaching 80 meters (260 feet) and four black spires. The facade shows carved portals made from gaize and stone decorations that run across several levels.
Construction began in 1380 under Peter Parler and replaced a Romanesque structure from the fourth century. After 1620 many parts were rebuilt in baroque style once the Catholic Church took control of the building.
The name refers to the old trading yard called Týn that once stood in front of the building and whose merchants paid for construction. Today Prague residents attend Mass here and many travelers come to see the carved wooden pews and baroque altars inside.
Access is through the main gate, which opens daily for visitors, and the nearest metro station is Staroměstská. Guided tours are available and help with orientation inside the nave and around the different chapels.
The tomb of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe from 1601 rests in the main nave under a bronze memorial plate. Many visitors miss it because it lies on the floor and is easy to walk past.
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