An Altar in the Cellar

The religious order of knights of the Temple was founded in 1118 in Jerusalem, where they were lodged in part of a palace built beside the former temple of Solomon — whence their name. Later they were accused of heresy and their order was dissolved in 1312. They came to Prague in 1232 and had a commandery here called Jerusalem by the church of Saint Lawrence, and perhaps in this place too. By legend the Templars still met secretly here after 1312 for divine service in the extensive cellars said to exist beneath the site to this day; a stone altar is even said to have been found down there. And from here an underground passage is said to have led as far as the Týn church.