C
U
L T
U
R
E
STAR APPEAL Prague is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Its Baroque buildings, bridges and basilicas create a postcard-perfect backdrop for a labyrinth of picturesque squares and stunning architecture. But outside of Prague, several UNESCO World Heritage sites show the very best of Baroque design, created by one of the country’s greatest architects – Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. In the Czech Republic, he is the 18th-century version of a modern-day ‘starchitect’ on par with talents like Frank Gehry and Moshe Safdie. The Czech Republic began its third architectural renaissance in the 1600s, reaching its peak in the early 1700s. After the country’s loss at the Battle of White Mountain, Baroque architecture dominated, spilling to the towns and cities outside of the capital. Italian architects like Carlo Lurago may be known for grand Baroque buildings like the Klementinum in Prague, but it is Santini who emerged as a visionary, the man behind Czech Baroque Gothic. Known for creating structures incorporating mysticism and symbolism, Santini was considered a maverick in the world of architecture. And he became popular because of it.
Curious about how you can experience Czech Republic’s Baroque through all your senses? Watch this to find out! 26 |
EXTRAORDI N A RY EXP ER IEN C ES
Meet the architect who shaped some of the Czech Republic’s grandest Baroque attractions By Janice Tober
ŽĎÁR NAD SÁZAVOU About two hours from Prague, you’ll find Žďár nad Sázavou, a pretty town with some of Santini’s best work. Abbott Václav Vejmluva invited the architect to give a modern makeover to the town by designing a new church, a cemetery, a horse stable, an inn and a hospital. It really is the town that Santini built. First on our must-see list is the New Generation Museum, a stunning gallery dedicated, in part, to Santini himself, built on the site of a 13th-century Cistercian monastery turned castle. Begin your visit by travelling back in time. Walk by the holograms depicting the dark forest where medieval monks constructed the monastery centuries ago. Then you’ll enter the Baroque era through dreamlike interactive exhibits that bring to life the world as Santini saw it. Next, head to what is considered his greatest accomplishment, the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk. Built between 1719 and 1727, what you may not notice unless you have the gift of flight is that the church complex is made in the shape of a star, a pattern replicated throughout the church interior. This UNESCO site is an unpretentious beauty. You can see Santini’s sure hand in creating a place of contemplation. Pure white walls are complemented by off-white plasterwork containing filigree-like detail, letting the altar – laden with ornate angels and a globe of stars – be the ‘star’ that attracts your attention. Gothic elements include the vaulted ribbed ceiling featuring a golden star within a star.
