Kostel sv. Lazara Church

St. Lazarus Church was a hospital church located in Prague 2. Although it no longer exists, its name lives on in the name of Lazarská Street, one of the main transfer hubs in Prague. This church was first mentioned in writing in 1280 and its history dates back to the end of the 12th century, when it is assumed that it was built outside the castles due to the risk of infection. It was a hospital church surrounded by a cemetery, managed by a hospital fraternity and canons of the order of God's line on Zderaze.

The history of St. Lazarus church is closely linked to the history of Prague and Bohemia. In the 12th-14th century he was associated with graves for the victims of plague and famine, which was often common at this time due to the risk of spreading diseases. The church became a spiritual centre for local residents and craftsmen. In the 15th-17th century, after Hussite wars, he stopped working as a hospital and was taken over by the New Town Guild of Butchers. This period also meant changes in religious life, when the church served as a parable. In 1641, a congregation was established at the church to the glory of the Virgin Mary, led by the Jesuit Rector Martin Bouda.

The architecture of the church of St. Lazarus was characteristic of the early Gothic with a high prism ship and a quadratic presbytery with an arched vault. In the 15th century, there were changes that referred to the craft industry - for example, a clamp with their character. The Tympanon of the entrance portal, which was preserved in the Lapidarium of the National Museum, is an important monument to the artistic representation of this time.

The ownership and administration of the church have undergone several changes. After his first written testimony in 1280, he was under the administration of the hospital fraternity, assisted by kings Václav II., Jan Lucemburský and Karel IV. with various privileges. After Hussite wars, he went under the patronage of the butchers' guild and later the Jesuit college, which in 1641 acquired him into its patronage. In 1791, the church was repurchased by new-born butchers.

The Church of St. Lazarus has been through many events that have influenced his fate. The most significant of them was its abolition and closure in 1788 by order of Josef II. This led to it being subsequently converted into a workshop and warehouse. In 1900- 1901, the church was finally demolished because of the planned construction of the building of the imperial-royal criminal court, despite the protests of historical societies.

Today, the church of St. Lazarus no longer exists, but its history and architectural significance are still remembered through photographs and engravings. The name Lazarská Street serves as a monument to this church, which was an important place for many generations of Pražansky. Visit this site to remember the rich history and architectural values that once stood here.