Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague

"The origins of the church date back to 1584 when a chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built on the site. Following the Letter of Majesty issued by Rudolf II, a larger Roman basilica-style church was constructed around 1611 for German Lutherans. However, the Counter-Reformation, marked by the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, led to the church being handed over to the Carmelites in 1624. The church was consecrated to "Our Lady of Victories and Saint Anthony of Padua," with the altarpiece of Our Lady of Victory sent from Rome by Pope Gregory XV. Significant renovations began in 1636, funded by Baltasar Marradas, who financed the construction of the front facade, completed in 1664. A bell tower was added in 1669, enhancing the church's profile in the skyline. The church's structure features chapels dedicated to Our Lady and the Holy Cross, with a notable 1626 statue of the Madonna. The shrine is particularly famous for the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, which originated in Spain. This 16th-century statue depicts the infant Child Jesus holding a globus cruciger. It was gifted to the Carmelite friars in 1628 by Polyxena, the First Princess of the House of Lobkowicz. Over the years, the statue has gained significant veneration, leading to its canonical coronation by Pope Leo XII in 1824, making it the first Christological image to receive this honor. It was crowned again by Pope Benedict XVI during his Apostolic visit to the Czech Republic in 2009, commemorating its historical significance. The church fell into neglect after the abolition of the monastery in 1784 under Joseph II, and the subsequent years saw a decline in the shrine's prominence. However, restoration efforts began in the late 19th century, with significant celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the Infant Jesus's veneration in 1928. The Discalced Carmelites returned to the church in 1993, two centuries after their initial departure, and have since worked alongside the Carmelite Sisters of the Child Jesus to care for the statue and the church. Under the parish administration of the Church of St. Thomas in Malá Strana, the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague remains a pilgrimage destination, drawing visitors from around the world."

"The Church is a spiritual place frequently visited for worship and prayers, with spectacular interior, contrary to the modest façade. There is a whole Wikipedia page with tones of interesting facts around the famous statue of the Prague Infant Jesus kept and venerated within."