Loreto Sanctuary (Loreta Praha)

The basics

One of the most spectacular attractions in Prague and a mainstay of city sightseeing tours on foot or by car, the Loreto Sanctuary draws the eye with its soaring spires and flamboyant style. The 17th-century monastery is still occupied today by an order of Capuchin monks and houses a glittering collection of donated liturgical treasures, including chalices, crucifixes, and artwork. The church is also famous for its 27-bell carillon, which rings on the hour across Hradčany.

Things to know before you go

• There are a number of elements to visit inside the sanctuary, including chapels, churches, and the treasury. Be sure to schedule at least an hour to take in the complex.

• Music enthusiasts can enjoy carillon and organ concerts held regularly in the sanctuary; the updated schedule is published on the Loreto Sanctuary website.

• The sanctuary is surprisingly family-friendly, with age-appropriate treasure-hunt worksheets that guide young visitors through the site.

• An audio guide is available for a small fee for insights into the complex’s history and architecture.

• The ground floor of the cloister with the Holy House, chapels, and church is barrier-free, but the rest of the complex is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.

How to get there

The Loreto Sanctuary is located on Loreto Square (Loretánské náměstí) near Prague Castle, and is easy to reach via public transport. Take the 22 or 91 tram to the Pohořelec stop, then walk about five minutes uphill to Loreto Square. The sanctuary is just outside the castle walls, so you don’t have to pass through the castle security checkpoints to reach it.

When to get there

One of the highlights of the sanctuary is the carillon bells that play a number of Baroque melodies at the top of each hour—be sure to time your visit to hear this 17th-century wonder. The complex also hosts temporary exhibits and both carillon and organ concerts; check the Loreto Sanctuary website for details.

What to see at Prague’s Loreto Sanctuary

There’s a lot to see inside the sanctuary, beginning with the central Santa Casa and its 17th-century frescoes and reliefs depicting the life of the Virgin Mary. The Church of the Nativity of Our Lord sits behind the Santa Casa and the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in the same courtyard, both bursting with artworks and relics. Another of the complex’s must-sees is its glittering collection of religious art, including the solid gold Prague Sun (Pražské slunce), studded with more than 6,000 diamonds.