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It was Christoph Dientzenhofer who first developed an unusual style in Prague and surrounding areas, and his son Kilian Ignaz who effectively gave the city its present Baroque countenance. The church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Town was celebrated as one of the loveliest churches in Europe. It certainly must rate as one of the masterpieces of Christoph Dientzenhofer, who built the nave (1703-11) and the west front (1709-17). The model for the west front was Borromini's San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome.
The vigorous façade and the lively effect of pierced entablature with its layers of pediments is continued in the interior. The effect of this German-Bohemian architectural language outdoes not only the Roman examples it follows but presents a completely novel, alternative approach to what had been obligatory Italian mode.
The picture shows the west front.
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