The building that can now be visited is the result of a lengthy construction spread over more than five centuries. A stone rotunda used to stand in its place (10th century), and later a Romanesque church. The sepulchers of St Wenceslas and of St Adalbert, patron saints of Bohemia, were placed in the cathedral in the Middle Ages. The idea of such a huge Gothic cathedral for the newly founded archdiocese came from Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century. The objective was to reflect the rank of Prague, which was then the capital city of the Empire, through its splendor and its beauty.
The Emperor first summoned the French architect Matthias of Arras, whose work in the choir reminds of the style of the great French cathedrals. After he died he was replaced by Peter Parleř, the Emperor’s main architect, who completed the choir with an amazing and very inventive filleted vault, with intertwined ribs that form a grand organic-like and dynamic space.
The Hussite wars forced the construction works to stop for a long period of time. During the following centuries, an elegant gallery was added to the tower during the Renaissance era, and a dome in the Baroque era. The cathedral was completed at the beginning of the 20th century by Josef Mocker (completion of the nave, of the western façade framed by 2 towers).
In addition to its architectural beauty, the cathedral holds artistic gems which historic relevance is huge: on the outside at the southern entrance, the magnificent golden Venetian mosaic glitters under the sun. The southern entrance, also called “Golden Gate”, leads you directly to the St Wenceslas chapel, sumptuously adorned with precious stones, golden stucco and frescos: the tomb of St Wenceslas, great patron saint of Bohemia, lies in this place. A closed door in the chapel guards the room where the precious crown jewels are kept: these are shown to the public on special occasions only.
Other just as prestigious tombs are located in chapels around the choir, such as that of St Denis of France: the St Vitus Cathedral was indeed used as a major mausoleum site for the reigning dynasties. Many members of the Přemyslid family are thus buried under Gothic tombstones sculpted by Peter Parleř.
A more recent and particularly impressive burial place, the huge and ostentatious Baroque tomb built in solid silver, contains the relics of another patron saint of Bohemia: Saint John of Nepomuk.
Art Nouveau aficionados cannot miss the stained glass window designed by Alfons Mucha that represents the life of Cyril and Methodius. Other works by the famous Czech artist can be seen at the Mucha Museum in the New Town or in the mayor’s reception room in the Municipal House.
Prague castle site (Pražský hrad)
Prague 1
www.hrad.cz
How to get there:
Tramway 22, stop "Pražský hrad"
Subway Green line A, station "Malostranská"
