Jan Blažej Santini Aichel - a Czech baroque-gothic genius

A brief guide to the life and work of a Czech baroque-gothic genius built on astonishing photographs.


The Czech Baroque-Gothic and its creator undoubtedly represent a significant chapter of architecture world heritage. Santini's work for the monasteries of religious orders residing on the territory of the Czech lands represent the foundation. Understanding and developing the principles of the radical Roman Baroque, and connection between two historically distant styles, happened to be the lifetime work of the brilliant Czech architect Jan Blazej Santini Aichel.


Jan Blazej Santini-Aichel was fascinated by geometry that was almost Kabbalistic. Consumed with a passion for numbers, he created a division of space and symbolism in Gothic cathedrals. All of these aspects helped define his style, which went beyond Baroque. Inspired by Francesco Borromini, he elevated the Gothic arch to the heavens and filled the space with signs referring to the fundamentals of faith that were a celebration of the saint to whom the building was dedicated“ 

Dominik cardinal Duka OP,

Archbishop of Prague


Jan Blažej Santini Aichel (3 February 1677 – 7 December 1723) was a Czech architect of Italian descent, whose major works represent the unique Baroque Gothic style - the special combination of the Baroque and Gothic styles