The history of the church
Brief history of the church and Prague Crossroads
927
Czech Prince Václav founds St. Lawrence’s church
12th century
construction of the Romanesque rotunda of St. Lawrence
1232
Templars settle at St. Lawrence’s
1312
Knights of Malta buy the church
1313
Dominican nuns from St. Anne’s convent in Újezd
circa 1360
Eastern chancel keystone is laid
after 1372
Třeboň altar Master paints murals in the presbytery
1st half of the 15th cent.
the only Prague church not to be affected by the Hussite wars
1553
historian Václav Hájek of Libočany is buried in the church crypt
1616
the church is reconstructed due to Queen Anne’s efforts
1676
the nuns’ chancel is newly constructed
1727
the interior stucco decorations are finished
1782
the convent church is abolished and deconsecrated under Joseph II
1795
printer Jan Ferdinand of Schönfeld purchases it
1816
printing works established; the church is divided into storeys; a service lift is constructed
1880
three upper storeys of the tower are removed and the Gothic ribbed vault is torn down
1956
archaeological research
1970
roof and truss reconstruction
1992
reconstruction of the middle wing for the National Theatre ballet ensemble
1997
the Havel Foundation finds the church and considers its reconstruction
1998
the Foundation conducts renovation of the church
1999
The Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97 rents the church from the National Theatre for 99 years
1999
the church reconstruction begins according to architect Eva Jiřičná’s plan; the removal of the modern plaster layers from the church walls is started; first uncovering of the fresco paintings and restoration of the church walls
2000
expert discussion with conservationists about the final version of the project
2001
reconstruction of the eastern wall; use of electro-osmosis for dehumidification of the wall
2002
archaeological research; restoration of the church gate and restoration adaptation of the original truss parts
2003
the reconstruction itself – removal of the storeys and modern tie beams, removal of the service lift, window renovation, installation of a service walkway in the truss, restoration and completion of a part of the Gothic staircase in the tower, installation of vaulting ribs imitating the original shape of the Gothic ribbed vault, insertion and installation of the stage and new heated floor, reconstruction of the part of the cloister used as the church’s rear area
2004
installation of the “altar picture” – Adriena Šimotová’s drawings – the Ecstatic Hero; restoration of the frescoes
5 Oct 2004
the PRAŽSKÁ KŘIŽOVATKA spiritual cultural centre starts activity by awarding the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97 Prize to Professor Petr Vopěnka
2004
concerts by Magdalena Kožená and Iva Bitová, Struny Podzimu (Autumn Strings), Religious Convention, opening of the Helsinki Conference and others
5 Sep 2005
a votive gift – a purse of silver coins from the time of King John of Luxembourg – is found by the restoration firm TRADICE
2005
restoration of the fresco paintings on the northern and southern walls of the church interior; reconstruction of another part of the cloister
5 Oct 2005
the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97 Prize is awarded to Professor Philip G. Zimbardo