|
|
|
The
counter-reformation and the spiritual transformation
of the Czech nation were entrusted to the
well organized and amply sponsored order of
Jesuits. For the performance of its work,
the order mainly erected new pretentious buildings,
but also bought a number of already existing
building sites.
Albrecht von Waldstein, a man of staggering career as well as great misfortune and also at that time the most powerful and rich aristocrat, instigated the handing over of the old gothic Saint Nicholas church to the order, in spite of protests from the Lesser Town citizens.
At first there
were various problems and circumstances which
held up the work. Thirty years passed before
the construction picked up a good tempo. Management
was given into the hands of two prominent
architects of czech baroque - Krystoph Dienzenhofer
and his son Kilian Ignaz. The cathedral was
consecrated in the year 1752. The superb building,
finished in 48 years, was not used for long
by the Jesuits. Pope Clement XIV felt uneasy
about the growing power and influence of the
Jesuit order and abolished it in the year
1773.
The builders of the cathedral perfectly
worked out the baroque principle of harmoniously
blending different art forms - architecture,
sculpturing and painting. Many things they
learned from foreign architectural experiences.
It is for instance possible to trace elements
as they were used by the Frenchman Mansart
or the Italian monk Guarnini. Altogether it
is one of the most beautiful buildings of
czech baroque.
