Tyn Church: the Adam and Eve towers, the 1673 organ and entry hours

The two towers of the Church of Our Lady before Týn rise above Old Town Square and are visible from almost anywhere in the old center. Both are about 80 m tall, but of different widths, and that is the first thing visitors to Prague notice. The church is open for viewing only a few hours a day, so it is easy to miss.

We put together a practical guide to the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Chrám Matky Boží před Týnem): its history, interior, opening hours, admission, and how to get there from the metro.

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Opening hours and admission to the Church of Our Lady before Týn

💡 In short:

• Admission is free, with a suggested donation of about 2 € (50 CZK) (as of 09/2026, Prague City Tourism).
• The church is closed on Mondays; in winter it is open on Sundays from 10:30 to 12:00.
• The main visiting season runs from March through November.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

© DXR · CC BY-SAPhoto: DXR, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The schedule depends on the season, so check the hours before your trip (as of 09/2026, Prague tourist office). From March through November the church is open Tuesday through Saturday, with a midday break. In winter, on Fridays the church is open only from 15:30 to 17:00, and on Sundays from 10:30 to 12:00.

Visiting is not possible during Mass. If you arrive during a service, you will be asked to wait or come back later. There are no ticket offices or turnstiles here: you enter through a narrow passage between the buildings and drop your donation into a box. The entrance is not on the square itself, but in the inner courtyard behind the facades.

Guided tours are not offered inside the church; a historical overview is only possible outside. However, the plaques inside help you explore on your own. You will spend about an hour on your visit if you read the descriptions.

History of the church of our lady before Týn

A Romanesque rotunda originally stood on the site of the current church, where merchants from the market prayed. The building itself was constructed from the mid-14th to the early 16th century (as of 09/2026, official Prague tourism portal). The two towers were named Adam and Eve. Both rise to about 80 m, but the southern tower, Adam, is noticeably wider. From the square, it stands on the right.

© Bradley Weber · CC BYPhoto: Bradley Weber, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The church burned and was rebuilt more than once, but it was restored every time. In the 15th century it was a Hussite stronghold, and a golden chalice, the symbol of the movement, stood at the entrance. Later the Catholics removed the chalice and put an image of the Virgin Mary in its place.

Old Town Square remembers the execution of participants in the Estates uprising. According to legend, the heads of the executed leaders are buried within the church walls. This is an urban legend, not a documented fact, so we present it as a retelling. If you look at the facade from below, the difference between the towers is especially clear.

Interior and legends

The interior was redone in the Baroque style in the late 17th century, so today the church looks different inside than it does outside (as of 09/2026, Prague City Tourism). Inside there are around twenty altars, medieval frescoes, and paintings by old masters. The church's main treasure is the altarpieces by Karel Škréta, one of the leading artists of the Czech Baroque.

The oldest organ in Prague stands here. It was built in 1673, and the instrument still works today (as of 09/2026, the church's official page). The church contains the tombs of famous people: you will see the grave of the astronomer Tycho Brahe and the tombstone of King George of Poděbrady.

Many legends surround the church's furnishings. One tells of a stork's nest in the chalice above the statue and of a frog that fell on the head of an important guest. Another is connected with a boy named Simon Abeles, who was secretly baptized and buried in the church. We present these stories as urban folklore, not as historical fact.

Organ concerts and tickets

The historic organ sounds at regular concerts: the church hosts evenings of organ and classical music. The program includes Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart, performed by visiting soloists together with chamber orchestras. The hall is small, so tickets for popular dates sell out in advance, and you risk being left without a seat.

A tour of Old Town Square and the area around the church is also easy to book in advance: Prague tours on GetYourGuide. A guide will show you where the entrance is and tell you the history of the church from outside, because groups are not allowed inside.

Check the exact concert schedule with the organizers on site. Posters are put up at the entrance, and tickets are sold online and at the box office before the performance.

How to get to the Church of Our Lady before Týn

The Church of Our Lady before Týn stands on Old Town Square, so cars are not allowed into the old center. The metro line A is the most convenient option: Staroměstská station brings you right to the square (according to DPP). From the exit to the church is about 300 m, a 4-5 minute walk (according to the map).

© Jacek Halicki · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jacek Halicki, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The tram also works: the Staroměstská stop is nearby. Check current route numbers in the current DPP map, because the network changes periodically. If you are staying in the center, you can easily walk to the church across Old Town Square.

Enter from the square through the arcade of the Týn School. Many visitors walk past because they do not see the entrance behind the facades. Look for the passage under the arcade, and you will get inside without an extra loop.

Church of Our Lady before Týn on the map

Below is a map with the exact location of the church. Open it on your phone and build a route from your hotel or from the Staroměstská metro station.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter the Church of Our Lady before Týn?

Entry is free. The church remains active, so visits are supported by a voluntary donation. You are not required to pay for entry, but the donation goes toward restoration.

When is the best time to come to avoid a service?

From March to November, come Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 or after 15:00. Monday is closed all year round. In December-February, on Fridays the church is open only from 15:30 to 17:00. On Sundays in these months you will be admitted from 10:30 to 12:00, so check the schedule on site.

What is the difference between the Adam and Eve towers?

Both towers rise to about 80 m. The southern Adam tower is noticeably wider; from the square it stands on the right. The difference is easy to see from any point on the square.

Can you attend an organ concert?

Concerts are held regularly in the church, played on the 1673 organ. Tickets are sold online and at the entrance; prices depend on the program.

How do you get to the church without a car?

Take metro line A to Staroměstská station, then walk a few minutes. Trams also stop at Staroměstská. From the exit, head toward Old Town Square; the church entrance is in a passage between buildings. Check exact routes in the DPP route map.

If you are arriving in Prague with a suitcase, it is more convenient to book an airport transfer in advance.

In short: what to book

The Church of Our Lady before Týn is one of the free stops in central Prague, no ticket is needed here. Plan your visit for a weekday morning and allow about an hour to look around. If you want music, book an organ evening in advance: the hall is small, and the 1673 instrument is worth hearing.

For the trip, two things are worth deciding in advance. If you want to stay near Old Town Square, look at accommodation options: hotels in central Prague on Trip.com. And take a guided walk around Old Town: Prague tours.