The Church of Our Lady before Tyn is the main landmark of Old Town Square in Prague.
The word “tyn” came from the name of the place where merchants traveling with their goods through various towns and lands could stop for the night. In the 11th century there was a small Romanesque church here. In the 13th century it was rebuilt in the early Gothic style, and another century later the construction of Tyn Church began. It was completed only in 1511. Since then, the silhouette of its pointed roof has often been depicted on postcards, albums, notebooks, and other souvenirs from the Czech Republic. It became one of the city’s symbols that you should definitely visit while in Prague.
By the way, one curious fact is connected with the roof of Tyn Cathedral. After the end of the war with the Hussites, around 50 rebels remained to be publicly executed. For this, it was decided to build gallows on Old Town Square. The wood intended for the roof of Tyn Church was used as material for them. After the execution, this necessary material almost went to other needs again. It was going to be used to build stands for the festive celebrations in honor of the wedding of the Czech king and the French princess. But the groom died, the celebration was canceled, and the timber was eventually sent to its original destination.
Learn even more interesting facts and legends about Tyn Church, Old Town Square, Orloj, and many other sights by downloading the Prague audio guide!
At the beginning of the 17th century, the cathedral was taken over by the Jesuits. At the same time, the golden cup was removed from the main statue. And, incidentally, there is also a legend connected with it. They say that storks took a liking to this cup, made a nest there, and diligently began raising their young. One of the storks, as was to be expected, fed the whole family by bringing frogs in its beak. But sometimes the frogs fell out along the way. And then one day a lucky frog landed right on the head of some important person. Naturally, everyone around burst out laughing and remembered this incident for a long time. Unable to endure the insult, the “victim” did everything possible to have the cup where the storks lived boarded up.
Another story is connected with the astronomer and alchemist Tycho Brahe, who is buried in Tyn Church. They say he became a victim of court etiquette. During a reception with King Rudolf II, he did not dare leave the table to relieve himself, and so died of a ruptured bladder. There are other versions of his death, but for some reason this one is told more often than the others.
Only in Tyn Church can visitors hear enchanting music performed on Prague’s oldest organ. It is already more than 300 years old, but its sound still amazes with its power and purity.
