Saint Catharine of Alexandria is also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel. Tradition says she was martyred at the age of 18 in the early 4th Century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius. The emperor condemned her to death tied to a spiked wheel, but the wheel shattered at her touch, and eventually she was beheaded for her Christian beliefs. The firework Catherine Wheel was named after her.
Charles IV established this church in 1355 as part of the convent of the Order of the Shoed Augustinian Nuns in thanksgiving for a battle won on St. Catharine's Day. Although the church's current Baroque appearance dates back to it's rebuilding in 1737-1741, certain original Gothic elements can still be seen, such as the tall octagonal tower, often called the "Prague Minaret".
The unique Baroque hall structure has a transverse nave, and a rich fresco ceiling.Ornate statues of Bishops look down on the congregation.
The Men of Note concert tour included free concerts performed in Venice in Italy, Bled in Slovenia, Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria, and this last concert in Prague. I went to all the concerts. Even though the music content was often repeated at each concert, the different venues made each performance special and unique. The acoustics in this spectacular old church were marvellous. The men's voices melded together and reverberated throughout the building giving me chills, beautiful!
The gentleman standing in the centre of the front row (6th from left, 6th from right) is 94 years old and still singing! Bravo!
More pictures to come.... eventually!
Catherine was much too young to die! But now she is remembered and probably would not have been otherwise!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting bit of history there. I had no idea the Catherine Wheel firework was named after a saint.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me to see such fine art work on the fresco ceilings, considering how difficult it must have been to paint whilst lying on ones back on some sort of platform.
I wonder where your next excursion will take you!
It sounds like a wonderful vacation, uplifting, meditative, inspiring. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to learn about Catherine Wheels. And the saint.
ReplyDeleteIncredible architecture.
The ceiling is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing Shammi.
ReplyDeleteA fascinating bit of history and a gorgeous church...I was going to say that the acoustics must be superb for so many concerts, but then you said it, so I'm happy to know that I was right (for the 1st time in my life!). :)
ReplyDeleteLove all that ceiling art work and all the history involved!
ReplyDeleteYou have some really lovely photos.
Maggie x
Prague is such a beautiful city
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