Velká jižní věž katedrály svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha, Gothic church tower at Prague Castle, Czech Republic
The Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, Václav and Vojtěch rises 96.6 m above Prague Castle, making it the third-highest church tower in Czechia. Begun around 1396 to a design by Peter Parler, it mixes Gothic, Renaissance and Neo-Gothic work, and its top is reached by 287 steps.
Construction of this tower began in the late 14th century under architect Peter Parler and remained incomplete for centuries before a Neo-Gothic reconstruction finished it in the 19th century. The long gap between these building periods reflects how the tower evolved from its medieval origins to its final form.
The tower houses seven bells, including Zikmund, the largest bell in the Czech Republic, which rings during national celebrations and religious ceremonies.
The climb to the top of the Great South Tower covers 287 steps, and entry is from the Third Courtyard of Prague Castle; admission is ticketed. The tower stands 96.6 m tall, and the ascent is rewarded with a view over Prague and its surroundings.
The tower's clock, installed in 1589 and paid for by Emperor Rudolf II, is of the orologio type, with a dial that shows more than the hours. Seven bells hang on two levels, the oldest cast in 1542 and three added in 2012.
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