Saint Vitus Cathedral

The St. Vitus Cathedral (Czech: Katedrála svatého Víta) is located in Prague and is part of Prague Castle. The church is dedicated to Saint Vitus. The full name of the church is Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha, which translates to the Cathedral of Saint Vitus, Wenceslaus, and Adalbert.

In the year 926, an initial church in Romanesque style was built at this location on the castle hill. Emperor Charles IV commissioned the replacement of this church with what was to become the largest cathedral in Europe. The first stone was laid personally by the emperor in 1344. The Frenchman Matthieu d'Arras was appointed as the builder, who began construction in the style of French Gothic. After his death in 1352, he was succeeded as court architect by the German Peter Parler, who also designed the Charles Bridge and the Church of Our Lady before Týn in Prague. Parler continued building St. Vitus in a German Gothic style.

After his death in 1399, Parler's work was taken over by other architects. Construction on the St. Vitus Cathedral lasted for approximately 600 years. The cathedral is (partly for this reason) built in various styles: construction began in 1344 in the Gothic style. Late Gothic elements were particularly added during the reign of the Jagiello king Vladislav II (1471-1516). The current appearance can be traced back to the construction activities of Empress Maria Theresa. She had the castle thoroughly renovated in 1753 and adapted its external appearance to Vienna's classicism. During the rise of Czech nationalism in the 19th century, construction resumed; the nave dates from this period. Work continued until 1929 to complete St. Vitus. The last part to be completed was the twin-towered façade.

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