Church of St. Katherine of Alexandria, Prague

This church, perched on the elevated side of Prague's New Town, catches the eye primarily due to its striking Gothic steeple, dubbed the "Prague Minaret" for its distinctive shape.

Dating back to 1354, the church, nestled within the expansive grounds of a former convent, was commissioned by Charles IV. Although it underwent Baroque-style reconstruction in 1741, the octagonal Gothic tower was cleverly preserved and seamlessly integrated into the new facade.

Once hailed as Prague's most exquisite Baroque place of worship, Saint Katherine's fell into disuse over 150 years ago and has since suffered considerable interior deterioration. Following the closure of the monastery by Emperor Joseph II in the late 18th century, the premises were repurposed as a facility for the mentally ill.

Now situated within the grounds of the General University Hospital, the current structure is overseen by the Orthodox Church. With its transverse nave layout, it still retains rich decorations, including a fresco by Václav Vavřinec Reiner.