St. Vitus Cathedral at a glance
Svaty Vit, or St. Vitus Cathedral, sits at the heart of the Prague Castle complex. It stands as one of the finest examples of Gothic religious architecture in Europe, serving as the largest church in the country and the seat of the Prague archbishop. You can spot its 82-meter spire from across the city. The sheer scale of the interior is striking, measuring 124 meters long by 60 meters wide, and it houses intricate Secession-style stained glass along with the silver tomb of Nepomuk.
In the 10th century, the Duke of Bohemia gifted the relics of St. Vitus to his counterpart in Saxony. To house them, he sought to build a cathedral on the site of an earlier Romanesque rotunda, a project finally realized by his descendant Charles IV in 1344. Construction spanned six centuries, involving a succession of international architects. While the original plans were drafted by the Frenchman Mathieu d'Arras, the south tower is the work of the German Bonifac Wohlmut and the Austrian Nicolo Pacassi. The nave and west facade were designed by the Czech architect Joseph Mocker.
The cathedral is divided into two distinct sections. The older eastern portion includes the choir, various chapels, and the great bell tower. The second, more complex section features three aisles and a transept with towers.
Start your visit by examining the facade. Among the 14 statues adorning it is one of Charles IV, whose bust you will also find in the triforium, a gallery built to honor royals, archbishops, and the builders of the cathedral. Do not miss the square St. Wenceslas chapel, recognizable by its star-studded vaults, or the Coronation Chamber, which holds the Crown Jewels, designated as National Cultural Treasures. Take time to appreciate the stained glass windows created by renowned artists like Alphonse Mucha. If your schedule allows, visit the underground level, which contains the tombs of the Bohemian kings.
Located in the heart of Prague Castle, where it remains the iconic landmark, visiting the cathedral requires an entrance ticket. I went early in the morning to avoid the crowds and I loved the Gothic architecture of the monument. The interior features a series of chapels with magnificent stained glass windows. Climbing the tower also costs extra, but after trekking up nearly three hundred steps, I enjoyed a sumptuous view over the castle grounds. Plan on a good hour to visit the whole thing.