Týnská fara Parish house

Týnská fara, located on Celetná Street 5 in Prague 1, Old Town, is a two-storey corner building with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Originally it served as a hospital and chapel; today there is a parish office and a restaurant. Since 1958, it has been protected as a cultural monument.

The history of the Týnské fara dates back to 1135, when the Czech prince Soběslav I. donated the Vysehrad chapter of the Hospital of the Virgin Mary for the care of sick buyers and poor. In the following century it became part of the Týnské Court, which highlights its important role in urban space. After the death of the hospital in 1322, the building was rented to Stephen from Tetín, the highest scribe of the Kingdom of Bohemia. Since 1365, the plebán of the Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn settled here and during the Hussite years (1424-1471) lived and preached by Archbishop Jan Rokycana.

The architecture of the rectory has undergone several transformations. In the first quarter of the 18th century, the original Gothic building was rebuilt into a baroque style by the vicar John Florián Hammerschmid. The inner space contains a white glazed tile stove from the first half of the 19th century, harmonium and a set of portraits of personalities associated with the Týnský Temple. The early Gothic church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn was demolished after 1894, but its wall paintings and architectural elements are today exhibited in the Lapidarium National Museum.

The owners of the Týn parish have changed over the centuries. After the Vysehrad chapter, Stephen of Tetín, followed by the plebán of the Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn, held it. Every change in ownership reflects historical and social changes in the period.

Among the key events are the donation of the hospital to Prince Soběslav I and the stay of Archbishop Jan Rokycana, who preached here during the Hussite years. An early Gothic gargoyle was found in the rectory's basement, suggesting its historical significance.

Today Týnská fara is accessible to visitors and serves as a meeting place for the parish and restaurant. Its rich history and architectural elements make it not only a cultural monument, but also a living witness of past times.

Týnská fara is a reminder of an important place in the history of Prague and the Czech Republic. Its visit offers a view of the rich history of the city and its architecture, making it a necessary stop for every traveler to the Old Town.