Église Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue de Prague, Gothic Revival church in Holešovice, Prague, Czech Republic
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Holešovice is a Neo-Gothic building with two prominent towers on its facade that echo the distinctive silhouette of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The structure combines pointed arches and vertical lines typical of the Gothic style adapted for the early 1900s.
Construction of the church began in 1908 and was completed in 1911, with consecration taking place in 1914 under Prague's Archbishop Cardinal Lev Skrbenský. The gap between completion and consecration reflected the administrative processes of the Church at that time.
The church houses a Czech nativity scene featuring figurines dressed in traditional Chod folk clothing, reflecting local artistic craftsmanship. This display shows how religious spaces serve as places where folk traditions are preserved and shared with visitors.
The building is easy to spot from the street thanks to its distinctive towers, making it a natural landmark in the neighborhood. Inside, the layout follows traditional church design with a central nave flanked by side aisles, allowing visitors to move through the space with ease.
During World War I, nearly all of the church's bells were melted down for military materials, with only a small death knell weighing around 40 kilograms surviving. This reflects how even sacred spaces were impacted by the demands of war and serves as a reminder of that period.
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