Church of Saint Castulus
From Prague-wiki
The Church of Saint Castulus (Kostel svatého Haštala in Czech) is a four-aisled Gothic church on Haštalské náměstí in the northeast part of the Old Town. It stands on the site of a former Romanesque church, which was one of the oldest churches in Prague. Dedication to Saint Castulus is unusal not only in the Czech lands, but in whole Central Europe.
The church was founded in the first half of the 14th century as a three-aisled Gothic Basilica and it was originally surrounded by a cemetery (the current area of Haštalské náměstí). It was probably founded by the order of German Knights. During the construction of its north aisle, which begun in the second half of the 14th century, it was decided to build a double-aisle hall instead. The hall ranks amongst the most precious manifestations of Prague’s High Gothic architecture. Therefore the church has four aisles in total (which is quite uncommon).
The church also briefly belonged to the hospital of Saint Agnes of Bohemia. It was initially a parish church, then it became a Calixtine church until 1624. Then it became a filial church and from 1739 it was a parish church again.
After a fire in 1689, the church was reconstructed in Baroque style by Pavel Ignác Bayer in 1689-1695. During the baroque reconstruction the steeple was given a new roof and a tall lantern with a spire and finial on the top.
[edit] Architecture and Furnishing
The three storied, 40 metres high church steeple was built of rubble stone and it is, on two levels, drawn together by four rods. Only one bell is hanging here, two other beams are currently empty.
There are remains of valuable Gothic paintings from the end of the 14th century preserved in the sacristy.
Most of the furnishings date from the Baroque reconstruction in the 17th century, but there is a tin baptismal font from 1550 and paintings of Crucifixion and the Last Supper from around 1500.
[edit] Saint Castulus
Saint Castulus (svatý Haštal in Czech) is venerated as a martyr. According to tradition, he was the chamberlain of Emperor Diocletian and the husband of Irene of Rome, also venerated as a saint. He was a convert to the Christian religion, and sheltered Christians in his home and even arranged for religious services inside the palace of the emperor. Among those he sheltered were Mark and Marcellian. He is one of the saints associated with the life and legend of Saint Sebastian.
With his friend Saint Tiburtius, he converted many men and woman to Christianity and brought them to Pope Saint Caius to be baptized. He was betrayed by an apostate named Torquatus and taken before Fabian, prefect of the city. Castulus was tortured and executed in 286 AD by being buried alive in a sand pit. According to tradition, Irene subsequently buried the body of the martyred Sebastian. She was later martyred herself, around 288 AD.
 View of the church from the east side, from the street Za Haštalem |
 The church as visible from the Saint Agnes Monastery |
 The north portal and windows of the two-aisled north part of the church |
 Southwest corner with the steeple |
 West face of the church with a Baroque gable |
