Maltese Square

Maltese Square is a small square in Prague. It is located between the Vlatva River and Carmelitsk Street. The square was named after the Knights of Malta.

In 1158, Vladislav II presented the western part of Kampa to the knightly order, and in 1169 the knights guarded the approaches to the Charles Bridge (then it was known as the Judith Bridge). The monastery founded in this place was the first Czech forge of cadres for the Order of the Crusaders. On the monastery grounds is the Church of the Virgin Mary under the Chain (kostel Panny Marie pod etě zem). Here you can see the image of the Madonna, whose age is several centuries, and an exquisite decoration shimmers around the neck of the Mother of God, which gave such an unusual name to the cathedral.

Until the XIV century, this temple complex was twice as large as the existing one. Fragments of old masonry can still be seen in the monastery yard. Services are held regularly in the church. In the center of the north side of the Maltese Square is a sculptural group with John the Baptist. It was created in 1715 by sculptor Brokoff.