Church of Our Lady of the Angel, Baroque church in Hradčany, Prague, Czech Republic

Church of Our Lady of the Angel is a baroque church building located in the Hradčany district as part of a Capuchin monastery complex. Its interior features a main altar from the early 18th century decorated with gold and adorned with religious statuary.

The church was built in 1600–1602 as part of the oldest Capuchin monastery in Bohemia, and it was enlarged after 1663. Its choir and altar face north rather than east, and the main altar dates from 1735, later modified.

The church holds a Christmas nativity scene displayed during the holiday season, with origins in the second quarter of the 18th century and likely inspired by Neapolitan crèches. It has 48 figures, 32 human and 16 animal, at or near life size; the more important figures have carved, polychrome wooden heads and hands, while the bodies are thin wooden frames covered with straw and papier-mâché, dressed in painted papier-mâché textiles. In 2018 it was shown in the form designed by sculptor and restorer Karel Stádník, against a rare painting on cardboard from the Liberec region.

The entrance is set back from Loretánské Square behind a small atrium, reached by a covered passage from the street front. The church is not oriented east; the choir and main altar face north, so expect the layout reversed from most churches. Look for the door dated 1600 leading into the confessional corridor.

The church houses a Christmas crib displayed during the Christmas season, with origins in the second quarter of the 18th century, probably inspired by Neapolitan cribs. It has 48 figures (32 human and 16 animal) at or near life size; the more important figures have carved and polychromed wooden heads and hands, while the bodies are thin wooden frames covered with straw and papier-mâché, dressed in painted papier-mâché textiles. In 2018 it was shown in the form designed by sculptor and restorer Karel Stádník, against a rare painting on cardboard from the Liberec region.