Loreta (more specifically Church of the Nativity) is a historic place of pilgrimage and every tourist heading to the Prague Castle should not miss it. It is located on the Prague Loreta Square and it is a beautiful baroque building that has a broad front with a clock tower, where the unique Loretan bells sound with their carillon every hour. The building was designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Orsi and has started to be built in 1626. The church supposedly has some original beams and bricks brought from the Italian town Loretta.

Holy House

The basic element of the building is the Holy House (Santa Casa) that is a copy of the holy house where the holy Incarnation happened. It is built in the middle of a rectangular arcaded courtyard Loretta which you will enter through a large front entrance. The original painted part was replaced by the statues and innumerable reliefs of Our Lady of Loreto. With laying the foundation stone on the 30th of June 1626 the history of the place of pilgrimage began and even you can start your tour here.

Near to the Santa Casta you will find the pilgrimage Church of Nativity which has the interior designed in the beautiful style of rococo. Also here, the sound of the Loretan carillon will make your visit more pleasant. It was brought into work at the end of the 17th century and from then it should have encouraged visitors to prayer. The carillon is made of 30 bells and each bell had its godfather from the high nobility of those days. Emperor Leopold the 1st himself took protection over the first bell.

Loreto Treasure

While viewing the Loreta do not forget the part with the Loreto Treasure; treasury with the treasure called the Prague Sun which has 6,222 diamonds and belongs to Czech unique objects.

On the youtube uploaded by user Bobika1965

Renewal and upkeep of the Loreta

It is important to note that it is one of the monasteries that have been returned in restitution of the old Capuchin Provence of the Czech Republic. Understandably the financial recourses for upkeep and renewal of these magnificent works are limited and therefore must seek grants or donations from the local self-governments.

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