Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Czechia Prague Rotonde Saint-Martin (St Martin’s Rotunda)

Rotonde Saint-Martin (St Martin’s Rotunda)

The largest and best-preserved rotunda in Prague.

Prague, Czechia

Added By
Mark Lovesey
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
St Martin’s Rotunda, Prague   Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
St Martin’s Rotunda, Prague   Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
St Martin’s Rotunda, Prague   Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Originally surrounded by a cemetery, St Martin’s Rotunda was constructed around 1100 CE and is one of Prague’s most ancient churches.

Positioned outside of the Royal Acropolis, it may have belonged to an individual of high status although no records exist that show the original owner. It was ransacked by looters during the Hussite Revolution in 1420, and in 1525, the rotunda burned down.

Following this, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the rotunda was used as a prison and a storehouse during the 30 Years War. It was reconstructed in 1719 but was seized for military use 65 years later.

In 1757, the Prussian attack on Prague damaged the rotunda, and a cannonball remains lodged in the wall above the entrance as a reminder of this event and can still be seen today.

In 1841, the rotunda was meant to be demolished. Instead, the apse was converted into a kitchen, and the building was rented out for the impoverished. It wasn't until 1875 that the church regained control over the rotunda. In 1878, it was converted back to its original religious purpose.

The Vysehrad Chapter took ownership of the rotunda in 1975 and began full restoration, even constructing a new Neo-Romanesque portal; evidence of the original entrance is still apparent in the wall above the road. Today, St, Martin’s is used for religious ceremonies.

Related Tags

Design History & Culture Architecture

Know Before You Go

St Martin’s rotunda sits inside the Vyšehrad castle complex and can be visited at any time. Rotunda opening hours are: Tuesday 10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm Wednesday 10 am–1 pm, 2–5:30 pm Thursday 10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm Friday 10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm Saturday 10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm Sunday 10 am–1 pm, 2–6 pm Monday 10 am–1 pm, 2–5:30 pm Suggest new hours Guided tours by appointment only.

Community Contributors

Added By

Snowdrop68

Edited By

Sebastian Wortys

  • Sebastian Wortys

Published

March 10, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Rotonde Saint-Martin (St Martin’s Rotunda)
Prague
Czechia
50.063654, 14.421546

Nearby Places

The Devil's Column

Prague, Czechia

miles away

St. Valentine’s Shoulder Blade

Prague, Czechia

miles away

Periodic Table of Charles University

Prague, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Prague

Prague

Czechia

Places 82

Nearby Places

The Devil's Column

Prague, Czechia

miles away

St. Valentine’s Shoulder Blade

Prague, Czechia

miles away

Periodic Table of Charles University

Prague, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Prague

Prague

Czechia

Places 82

Related Stories and Lists

13 Places With Cannonballs Stuck in Them

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

Related Places

  • Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    Budapest, Hungary

    Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    A stunning Art Nouveau cinema in the heart of Budapest.

  • Hôtel Solvay

    Brussels, Belgium

    Hôtel Solvay

    This historic Art Nouveau townhouse was the former home of the son of a famous chemical inventor and industrialist.

  • Mudéjar Thematic Park

    Olmedo, Spain

    Mudéjar Thematic Park

    The best collection of Mudéjar building replicas gathered in a theme park in Olmedo.

  • Granary in Jankowo up close

    Jankowo, Poland

    Walter Gropius's 1906 Spichlerz

    A Bauhaus co-founder designed this quirky, abandoned granary.

  • Modern Cloisters of Valira Park

    La Seu d'Urgell, Spain

    Modern Cloisters of Valira Park

    This parody of ecclesiastical cloisters features famous figures from the 20th century.

  • The Little House

    Shepherdstown, West Virginia

    The Little House

    True to its name, this little house presents like a dollhouse, and surprising details are revealed with a quick peek through the window.

  • The Sun on The Floor of La Puerta del Sol

    Madrid, Spain

    The Sun on The Floor of La Puerta del Sol

    This little sun pays homage to a massive gate that once stood at this location.

  • Eastern Gate of Belgrade

    Belgrade, Serbia

    Eastern City Gate of Belgrade

    This feat of Brutalist architecture is also known as the Three Sisters.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.