overview about the place services This simple single-aisled sacred building from 1602, with square chapels at the sides and a small flèche, is part of the premises of the Capuchin monastery. In 1757, cannons were fired at the church during the Prussian siege of Prague the cannon balls have been mounted in the façade to commemorate this event. The church is a favourite among Praguers at Christmas – it’s famous for its nativity scene from the 18th century and featuring 48 life-sized figures. more about the place REGULAR MASSES: Su and public holidays 8:30 Mo—Fr 17:00 Sightseeing possible before and after the mass or by appointment. UNIQUE CAPUCHIN NATIVITY SCENE The 48 life-size figures (32 human and 16 animal) are made of wood and papier-mâché, a mixture of paper and plaster. The figures are dressed in real clothes treated with resin. The Baby Jesus lies in the hay until Epiphany, then the Virgin Mary holds him in her arms. It is the work of Capuchin monk named Kašpar. history This monastery is the oldest Capuchin monastery in the Bohemian territory. It was established in the Lobkowicz garden in 1600 by the order’s Minister General himself, Lawrence of Brindisi, who was later canonized. In 1602, the Church of Virgin Mary Angelic was consecrated, corresponding to the Capuchin needs — very simple, single-aisle, with no tower, just a little sanctus spire from which the bells rang during the mass. The interior decorations are just as simple; recently a modern relief Calvary was added by Karel Stádník. There is an old Bethlehem in one of the side chapels from the 18th century and has wooden and straw figures with faces of plaster and paper. The figures are dressed in real clothes treated with resin. The Bethlehem was made by a Capuchin monk named Kašpar. It is estimated that the oldest figures in the nativity scene were created around 1730. Cannon balls which hit the monastery during the Prussian bombing in 1757 have been installed in the church facade. The monastery convent was built gradually during the 17th century and the 1st half of the 18th century. The monastery is interconnected with Loretta via a roofed suspended corridor on pillars. The monastery garden was in the neighbourhood of the city ramparts, which allowed the Capuchins to let the Imperial army enter the city in 1632, under the leadership of Albrecht of Valdštejn, who then ended the six-month Saxon occupation of Prague. During the Protectorate, the SS headquarters established a prison here. After the war, the friars returned, but only for a while, as they were violently moved out after the communist coup. The monastery was not returned to the Capuchins before 1990. The Capuchins are the traditional keepers of the Loretta pilgrimage place. Short term accommodation