The striking Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord dominates Vinohrady’s liveliest square, Jiřího z Poděbrad. The church, finished in 1932, is arguably Prague’s most original piece of 20th-century architecture. Fans of early-modern architecture might recognize the hand of Slovenian master Jože Plečnik, best-known for decorating his home capital of Ljubljana with dozens of signature, UNESCO-protected bridges and buildings.
Oversized Clock Tower
Like all of Plečnik's creations, the appearance of the church is both highly modern and yet also evokes classical elements, including the three oversized portals at the front facade. The overall design of the church is said to be based on early-Christian structures. The shape recalls the outlines of a large boat – perhaps Noah’s Ark (you'll have to squint pretty hard to see the resemblance). The church's signature element is its enormous clock tower, featuring a clock face diameter of nearly 8m. It's topped with a 3m copper dome and 4m-high cross.
Minimalist Interiors
The stark interiors are just as eye-catching. The main altar, crafted from white marble, is dominated by a statue of Christ as well as the figures of six Czech patron saints (St John of Nepomuk, St Agnes, St Adalbert, St Wenceslaus, St Ludmila and St Procopius). The lack of a pulpit is intentional and marks the church as piece of modern architecture. The church is normally closed to the public, but opens for sightseers a half hour before mass times and stays open 30 minutes after mass is over.
