Czech Republic Guide
South Moravia
Minoritský kostel
The finest architectural work of the Grimm brothers (there really were two of them) was the Minoritský kostel on the corner of Minoritská and Jánská, whose vivacious frontage makes the most of its cramped site. The right-hand portal leads to the main gilded nave, whose interior represents much the best slice of Baroque in town, high to the point of giddiness, an effect that's intensified by the illusionistic frescoes. Linked to the church next door by double doors in the north aisle is an equally stunning chapel, with a steep altar staircase that must be ascended on bended knee, and full-size colour terracotta statues of Jesus and the two robbers looking down from the gallery above. The greater part of the church is taken up with a Loretanská kaple (Loreto Chapel), its outer walls smothered in grisaille depictions of the miracle; the atmospheric red-brick interior holds the standard Black Madonna and Child set against a rich marble backdrop.