St. Vitus Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Hradčany, Prague, Czech Republic
St. Vitus Cathedral is a church in Hradčany, Prague, standing in the main courtyard of Prague Castle with its tallest tower reaching over 315 feet (96 meters). Three main portals lead into an interior marked by high vaults, side chapels along the walls, and stained glass from several centuries.
The foundation stone was laid in 1344 under King John of Bohemia, with Matthias of Arras drawing the early plans and Peter Parler later taking over the work. After centuries of interruption, the towers and west facade were finished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The cathedral was built as a coronation church, family crypt and relic treasury for Charles IV. The Crown Chamber behind St. Wenceslaus Chapel, entered by a door with seven locks, holds the Czech crown jewels, shown to the public only once every eight years.
Access is through the main entrance of Prague Castle, though entry may be restricted during church services. Those wishing to climb the tower should expect over 280 steps and some waiting time during busy days.
The chapel of Saint Wenceslaus displays over 1,300 semi-precious stones set into the lower wall surfaces, including jasper and amethyst. Above them run frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Bohemian patron saint, painted in the 14th century.
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