Basilica of the Assumption, Minor basilica at Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic
The Basilica of the Assumption is a three-nave Romanesque basilica with a transept, three identical apses and a flat Baroque vault, 63 metres long and 10 metres wide. Its two tall towers with cupolas dominate the Strahov courtyard, and the west facade carries statues by Ondřej Filip Quitainer from around 1726.
The church was founded in the third quarter of the 12th century and rebuilt in a Gothic style in the mid-13th century. A thorough Baroque renovation in the 18th century gave it the appearance it largely has today.
The basilica is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, which explains its name and shapes much of the interior decoration. Frescoes from the 18th century depict scenes from the life of Saint Norbert, the founder of the Premonstratensian order that still runs Strahov Monastery today.
The basilica is inside the Strahov Monastery grounds, which can be reached on foot from the Hradcany area or by climbing Petrin Hill. The paths around the complex can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea, especially in wet weather.
The organ Mozart improvised on in 1787 was replaced around 1900; the instrument now in the choir loft is a later one. Organists Jan Křtitel Kuchař and Robert Führer also played here.
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