The Little Quarter (Lesser Town) was established in 1257, built on the slopes below Prague Castle. In 1541 it was badly damaged by a great fire and than erected again during 17
th and 18
th century. It is part of Prague least effected by recent history having an image as the ultimate Baroque City.
The centre of the Little Quarter is
the Little Quarter Square, originally a market place. Dominating the square is
the Church of St. Nicholas, the masterpiece of Baroque architects, the Dienzenhofers. Hardly any new building has taken place here since the late 18
th century and the quarter is rich in splendid Baroque palaces and old houses with attractive signs. Founded in 1257, it is built on the slopes below the Castle hill with magnificent view; across the river to the Old Town.
The Grand Prior's millwheel at Kampa Island still turns, pilgrims still kneel before the Holy Infant of Prague in the Church of Our Lady Victorious, and music rings out from churches and palaces as it did when
Mozart stayed here.
CHURCH OF OUR LADY VICTORIOUS
A Baroque church housing the famous Infant Jesus Bambini di Praga inside. The wax statue was made in Spain in the 16th century. You can admire its richly decorated clothes (45 pieces) in the church museum. Bambini di Praga was crowned in 1655.
JOHANNITE COMMENDA (MALTESIAN KNIGHTS)
Founded in the 12th century. The fortified precincts have followed up with the tower of Judith's bridge the predecessor of the Charles Bridge and ruled the left bank of Vltava River. The Church of Our Lady under Chain (Pod Retezem ) is dominated by two Gothic towers. Baroque furnishing, on the main altar there is the image of the Madonna helping knights in the battle of Italian Lepanto (valuable masterpiece by K. Skreta).