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The Prague sanctuary at
Hradcany
was founded by Benigna Katerina z Lobkovic.
Giovanni Baptista Orsi built it exactly like
its italian counterpart. Thanks to the family
z Lobkovic and other noble patrons, it was
gradually extended with galleries, a second
chapel and also a treasure house for the Loretto
Treasure, which grew very steadily with gifts
from petitioners. The famous façade,
as it is known today, was constructed by Kilian
Ignaz Dienzenhofer in the 18th century.
In
the four-sided tower is a clock and a glockenspiel.
The merchant Ebehard of Glauchov ordered the
bells to be cast in Amsterdam in the year
1694 for 1500 pieces of gold. There are twenty-seven
bells and each has its own Godfather.
For the first bell it was the Emperor Leopold
I. The glockenspiel is played mechanically,
but it also has a wooden keyboard. In the
past the compositions were changed several
times. Two beams and one brick from the house
in Loretto are built into the sanctuary.
Behind
the altar is a sculpture of the Divine mother
made of cedar wood, behind silver bars. Many
valuable robes belong to it. These robes are
part of the Loretto Treasure too. The silver
decoration of the chapel, according to the
original measure, weighs 100 pounds. The separate
chapels are richly decorated with statues,
paintings and frescos, as is the church of
the Birth of the Lord.
At the sides of the main altar along with a copy of the well known picture of Raffael, the Birth of the Lord, are two smaller altars with relics of saints. One belongs to St. Felicissi, whose skeleton is exposed behind glass, wearing a Spanish noble dress and part of its face is covered with a wax mask. The opposite altar is dedicated to St. Marcie, whose relics are covered by a Spanish gown of a court lady.
The Loretto Treasure is famous. The diamond monstrance, finished by Viennese jewellers with gilded silver and 6222 diamonds is the most valuable. The oldest piece is the Gothic Grail of gilded silver. Because of the specific details it is known to be of Czech origin. The cross of elephant bone dates from the beginning of the 17th century. A perfectly modelled body of Christ is attached to the ivory cross. The panel-painting of Madonna with the little Jesus is the work of the Dutch painter Adriaan van Utrecht. The Redelmayer monstrance, also known as the Ring monstrance, is made of Arabic gold and the box in the shape of a heart for the consecrated wafers is beautified with pearls.
In the collection are many other exquisite things, for example service garments and a rare mitre. A curiosity is the coat on the sculpture of the Virgin Mary, made of red silk and embroidered with straw as if with gold. The fine and picturesque façade contrasts with the extensive Cernín Palace opposite, made in the last quarter of the 17th century. The compact building of Cernín does not interfere with the subtle softness of Loretto. On the contrary, they complement each other and together create the interesting Loretto Square (Loretánské námestí).
