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 coronation church of Bohemian rulers displays medieval royal tombs and Habsburg imperial burials inside. A locked chapel holds the crown jewels, which are shown only during special occasions throughout the year.
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.
Location: Hradčany
Location: Prague 1
Inception: 1344
Founders: Arnošt of Pardubice, Charles IV
Architects: Matthias of Arras, Peter Parler
Architectural style: Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival
Part of: Prague Castle
Website: http://katedralasvatehovita.cz
GPS coordinates: 50.09083,14.40056
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03
This collection presents neogothic architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when architects across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania revived medieval building forms. The movement began in Britain and spread worldwide, employing pointed arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults and stone spires. This architectural language was used for churches, universities, government buildings and railway stations. The collection includes religious structures like Cologne Cathedral and Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, government buildings such as the Parliament Complex in Ottawa and the Palace of Westminster in London, educational institutions like the University of Glasgow Main Building, and transport hubs including St. Pancras Station in London and Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. These structures demonstrate how architects adapted medieval techniques to modern building materials and functions.
Prague brings together structures and public spaces from the Middle Ages to modern times. The historic center holds the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock, the castle on the hill, and Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava River. Churches, monasteries, and palaces show Gothic arches, Baroque facades, and Art Nouveau decoration. Streets open onto quiet courtyards and busy passages, while riverside promenades invite walks along the water. Museums hold art from different centuries, technical collections, and memories of the 20th century. The Spanish Synagogue and other religious sites speak to the city's religious heritage. Theaters and concert halls continue a long cultural tradition. From the Petřín Lookout Tower, you see the rooftops and parks spread below, while gardens such as Wallenstein Garden offer green retreats. Each neighborhood has its own rhythm, and walking remains the best way to discover the layers of history and daily life.
Old Royal Palace
228 m
Hrobka českých králů
8 m
Obelisk
71 m
Saint Wenceslas Chapel
33 m
Rotunda of Saint Vitus
8 m
Sigismundglocke
28 m
Church of the Virgin Mary
85 m
Statue of Saint George at Prague Castle
59 m
Golden Gate
27 m
Mihulka
75 m
Velká jižní věž katedrály svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha
24 m
Ludwig Wing
91 m
Býčí schodiště
75 m
Sloupová síň Pražského hradu
96 m
Staré proboštství
73 m
Statue of Saint Wenceslas
72 m
Chapter Deanery
65 m
Jižní věž Pražského hradu
65 m
Orlí kašna
52 m
Zvon Václav
28 m
Cenotaph of John of Nepomuk
53 m
Medvědí kašna na náměstí U Svatého Jiří na Pražském hradě
97 m
Main gate of the St. Vitus Cathedral
57 m
Window of the Holy Trinity and Bohemian Kings in St. Vitus Cathedral
49 m
Plastika s časoměrem
33 m
Pamětní deska položení základního kamene katedrály svatého Víta na Pražském hradě
30 m
Pamětní deska na Starém proboštství na Pražském hradě
63 m
Gate of St. Wenceslaus
56 mReviews
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