Knights of the Cross with the Red Star

Knights of the Cross with the Red Star tickets: which one to buy

The church of the Knights of the Cross, dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, stands at the Old Town end of the Charles Bridge in Prague, beside the bridge tower, so it is passed by almost every visitor to the city. Entry to the church is often possible at set times or with a small fee, and the order runs a gallery and the Charles Bridge Museum next door, which has its own ticket and shows the history of the bridge along with the underground remains of its predecessor, the Judith Bridge.

Classical concerts are held in the church almost every evening, and a concert ticket is one of the best ways to see the painted dome. Walking tours of Prague pause on the square outside, with its statue of Charles IV. The area is extremely crowded in the middle of the day, so arriving early in the morning or coming for an evening concert gives a much better experience of the church. Concert touts on the bridge sell tickets for many churches, so check the venue before paying.

Visiting Knights of the Cross with the Red Star: what to see

The Knights of the Cross with the Red Star are the only religious order founded in Bohemia; Saint Agnes of Bohemia established them in the thirteenth century to run a hospital, and the order was entrusted with guarding the bridge and collecting its tolls. The present church was built between 1679 and 1688 to designs by the French architect Jean-Baptiste Mathey, and its green dome, one of the first in Prague, is a landmark of the riverside view. The interior is a compact oval space under the dome, lined with red marble, with gilded altars and statues.

The dome is painted with a large fresco of the Last Judgement by Vaclav Vavrinec Reiner. The treasures of the order, including gold and silver objects, are shown in the gallery. Beneath the square, the museum displays parts of the Romanesque Judith Bridge, which stood here before the Charles Bridge was built after a flood in 1342. The statue of Charles IV on the square outside was unveiled in 1848 to mark the five hundredth anniversary of the university.

Knights of the Cross with the Red Star opening hours and the best time to go

The Charles Bridge and the square in front of the church are crowded from late morning to evening from spring to autumn, and over Christmas and New Year. Early morning is the quietest time to see the square and the bridge. Evening concerts in the church usually start around six or eight, and tickets are sold at the door or online. Winter is cold, but the bridge and the river views are beautiful in snow.

The museum and gallery are open daily with shorter winter hours. Allow half an hour for the church and gallery, an hour with the museum, or the length of a concert, and cross the bridge afterwards for the view back to the dome. River boats leave from the embankment just below the church and give the best view of the dome from the water.