Our Lady of the Snows.

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Our Lady of the Snows is one of our favorite churches in Prague primarily because of the mosaic of Mary and the baby Jesus above the entranceway. It is one of the most beautiful mosaics we have seen. The church is the tallest church in Prague, measuring 111 feet in height. Founded by Charles IV on September 3rd, 1347 as the abbey as a monastery for the Carmelites and place for future coronations the plans were for the church to be the largest one in Prague. Events overtook plans and only the presbytery and the monastery were completed. The St. Vitus Cathedral is much larger. The church, now surrounded by other buildings, is very easy to walk by and not notice.

Except for the mosaic, Our Lady of the Snows is not the most beautiful church in Prague from outside. Inside, like so many churches here, it is extremely ornate. Tons of money went into the decorations and paintings in these churches. In some ways they are so much alike that it is hard, if nor impossible, to remember which church has a particular painting or decoration. At the entrance many churches have often ignored signs "No Photos." I was in one last year with such a sign, but I noticed several young women taking photos. I walked to the front door were a young man sat.

"Is it all right if I take photos here," I asked.

"Sure," he replied, "go ahead. Take as many as you want. I did.

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Photos

Our Lady of the Snows
The front entrance with the beautiful mosaic of Mary and Jesus.

The Mosaic of Mary and Jesus
At the entrance of Our Lady of the Snows.